rumpus

[ ruhm-puhs ]

noun

, plural rum·pus·es.

1. a noisy or violent disturbance; commotion; uproar:

   There was a terrible rumpus going on upstairs.

2. a heated controversy:

   a rumpus over the school-bond issue.

rumpus

/ ˈrʌmpəs /

noun

1. a noisy, confused, or disruptive commotion

Word History and Origins

Origin of rumpus¹

First recorded in 1755–65; origin uncertain

Word History and Origins

Origin of rumpus¹

C18: of unknown origin

Example Sentences

Novelist Stephen Elliot launched his club two years ago through The Rumpus, the online culture magazine that he founded.

From The Daily Beast

And despite what he said about his legacy, his wild rumpus will never end.

From The Daily Beast

His work has also appeared at The Rumpus, The Millions, and The Washington Independent Review of Books.

From The Daily Beast

Both sides behaved themselves almost as grownups, when it would have been easier to descend into a school yard rumpus.

From The Daily Beast

He came to the top of the stairs with a lamp in his hand, and wanted to know what the rumpus was about.

From Project Gutenberg

We knew that all he wanted was to get out on deck, and then there would be the tallest kind of a rumpus.

From Project Gutenberg

I was prepared to carry her off if she refused, but I was ill prepared for the rumpus that this quiet-looking woman kicked up.

From Project Gutenberg

I suppose now that papa is having a rumpus with Mr. Thatcher I shall never see him any more.

From Project Gutenberg

They found out we were seeing each other secretly, and they made a rumpus about it.

From Project Gutenberg