roughhouse

[ noun ruhf-hous; verb ruhf-hous, -houz ]

noun

, plural rough·hous·es [ruhf, -hou-ziz].

1. rough, disorderly playing, especially indoors.

verb (used without object)

, rough·housed [ruhf, -houst, -houzd], rough·hous·ing [ruhf, -hou-sing, -zing].

1. to engage in rough, disorderly play.

verb (used with object)

, rough·housed [ruhf, -houst, -houzd], rough·hous·ing [ruhf, -hou-sing, -zing].

1. to handle roughly but with playful intent:

   to roughhouse the cat.

roughhouse

/ ˈrʌfˌhaʊs /

noun

1. rough, disorderly, or noisy behaviour

verb

1. to treat (someone) in a boisterous or rough way

Word History and Origins

Origin of roughhouse¹

An Americanism dating back to 1885–90; rough + house

Example Sentences

There, he and friends would roughhouse in front yards, church playgrounds ... any place they could.

From Los Angeles Times

She is almost 4 years old and naturally playful — her caretakers have said she is witty and curious, and has proved to be an excellent climber and will even roughhouse a bit with other pandas.

From Los Angeles Times

Her powers of observation miss nothing: roughhousing children, bickering adults, pets scampering underfoot.

From Los Angeles Times

As the grazing heifers lifted their horns, their playful roughhousing seemed like a display of holiday cheer.

From Seattle Times

The couple already had two kids, Ben and Penny, and envisioned all of the roughhousing, road trips and happy mayhem that comes with four children.

From Seattle Times