Synonyms

rumpus

American

[ruhm-puhs] / ˈrʌm pəs /

noun

plural

rumpuses

a noisy or violent disturbance; commotion; uproar.

There was a terrible rumpus going on upstairs.
a heated controversy.

a rumpus over the school-bond issue.

rumpus British

/ ˈrʌmpəs /

noun

a noisy, confused, or disruptive commotion

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of rumpus

First recorded in 1755–65; origin uncertain

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The unexpected rumpus took place on Feb. 23 at the Thornton Beach Recreation Area when the young boy was taking a riding lesson on a horse from Ocean View Stables.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 4, 2025

As we've talked about, there are fears another leadership rumpus could do more harm than good after all the travails they've already had.

From BBC • May 4, 2024

On Thursday, on the opening day of the SheBelieves Cup, U.S. domination in the neighborly rumpus was put to the test before the Americans prevailed, 1-0, on substitute Rose Lavelle’s goal in the 79th minute.

From Washington Post • Feb. 18, 2021

Goodell hosted the event from his Westchester home, in what looked to be a stately rumpus room.

From Slate • Apr. 23, 2020

Barbara wanted to know, standing there in the door of the rumpus room.

From "Slaughterhouse-Five" by Kurt Vonnegut

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023