hooligan

[ hoo-li-guhn ]

noun

1. a ruffian or hoodlum.

adjective

1. of or like hooligans.

hooligan

/ ˈhuːlɪɡən /

noun

1. slang.
   a rough lawless young person

Derived Forms

• ˈhooliganism, noun

Other Words From

• hooli·gan·ism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of hooligan¹

First recorded in 1895–1900; perhaps after the Irish surname Hooligan, but corroborating evidence is lacking

Word History and Origins

Origin of hooligan¹

C19: perhaps variant of Houlihan, Irish surname

Example Sentences

She believes the beluga was being trained to guard the base and fled because it was a "hooligan".

From BBC

Back in 1999, one hereditary Tory peer, the Earl of Onslow, said he would behave like a “football hooligan” in opposing New Labour’s abolition plan.

From BBC

It has been reported, external police investigations have shown links between far-right activists and organised football hooligan groups who have co-ordinated some of the violence.

From BBC

A picture from social media, later deleted, also showed him as part of a far-right football hooligan group called the "New Society Boys", since disbanded.

From BBC

Later, he would look back on that time and describe himself as a "hooligan".

From BBC

Related Words

• criminal
• delinquent
• gangster
• mobster
• rowdy
• thug
• troublemaker