hurly-burly

[ hur-lee-bur-lee, -bur- ]

noun

, plural hurl·y-burl·ies.

1. noisy disorder and confusion; commotion; uproar; tumult.

adjective

1. full of commotion; tumultuous.

hurly-burly

/ ˈhɜːlɪˈbɜːlɪ /

noun

1. confusion or commotion

adjective

1. turbulent

Word History and Origins

Origin of hurly-burly¹

1520–30; alteration of hurling ( and ) burling, rhyming phrase based on hurling in its (now obsolete) sense of tumult, uproar

Word History and Origins

Origin of hurly-burly¹

C16: from earlier hurling and burling, rhyming phrase based on hurling in obsolete sense of uproar

Example Sentences

Mustard admires the fact that, rather than engage in the hurly-burly of social media, Lamar will disappear from public view for long stretches of time.

From Los Angeles Times

The idea was that it would be a space of refuge, the embodiment of freedom and creativity, just blocks from the hurly-burly of undergraduate housing, restaurants, bars and bookstores that form the heart of Berkeley’s southside.

From Los Angeles Times

Antwerp and other culture hubs such as Barcelona, Zurich, Madrid, Mexico City and London are trying to emulate the success of Gallery Weekend Berlin by persuading lovers of contemporary art that following a trail of dealer exhibitions is a more relaxing and instructive alternative to the hurly-burly of a fair.

From New York Times

Mr. DeSantis’s whirlwind trip abroad this week was meant to elevate his credentials as a statesman and heavyweight, while taking him away from the hurly-burly of a fledgling presidential campaign that he has not officially begun.

From New York Times

It is this connection between the well-being of people and the functioning of government that often gets lost or forgotten in the hurly-burly of debate over the locus and exercise of governing power.

From Washington Post