rambunctious

[ ram-buhngk-shuhs ]

adjective

1. difficult to control or handle; wildly boisterous:

   a rambunctious child.

2. turbulently active and noisy:

   a social gathering that became rambunctious and out of hand.

rambunctious

/ ræmˈbʌŋkʃəs /

adjective

1. informal.
   boisterous; unruly

Derived Forms

• ramˈbunctiousness, noun
• ramˈbunctiously, adverb

Other Words From

• ram·bunctious·ly adverb
• ram·bunctious·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of rambunctious¹

An Americanism dating back to 1820–30; origin uncertain

Word History and Origins

Origin of rambunctious¹

C19: probably from Icelandic ram- (intensifying prefix) + -bunctious , from bumptious

Example Sentences

The audience at the Saturday matinee audience I attended was filled with young people who seemed delighted by the rambunctious high jinks.

From Los Angeles Times

Some news executives believe — perhaps wishfully — that the administration will focus on policy at the beginning and there will be less emphasis on the president-elect’s rambunctious personality.

From Los Angeles Times

He responded to Vanity Fair’s report by saying that the behavior was typical of his “rambunctious youth,” although at the time the alleged incidents occurred he was a married 45-year-old with five children.

From Slate

“Nightbitch” works largely thanks to Adams’ nimble, fearless performance as an artist-turned-stay-at-home mom who puts her once-promising career on hold to care for her cute but rambunctious toddler.

From Los Angeles Times

In conversation, the rapper lives up to the implied duality in his name — alternating between quiet and rambunctious.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• boisterous
• energetic
• raucous
• rowdy
• unruly