commotion

[ kuh-moh-shuhn ]

noun

1. violent or tumultuous motion; agitation; noisy disturbance:

   What's all the commotion in the hallway?

   Synonyms: bustle, turbulence, riot, tumult, turmoil, disorder

2. political or social disturbance or upheaval; sedition; insurrection.

commotion

/ kəˈməʊʃən /

noun

1. violent disturbance; upheaval
2. political insurrection; disorder
3. a confused noise; din

Derived Forms

• comˈmotional, adjective

Other Words From

• com·motion·al adjective
• com·motive adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of commotion¹

First recorded in 1520–30; from Latin commōtiōn-, stem of commōtiō, from commōt(us) “disturbed” (past participle of commovēre “to displace, disturb,” literally, “to move together”; commove ) + -iō -ion

Word History and Origins

Origin of commotion¹

C15: from Latin commōtiō, from commovēre to throw into disorder, from com- (intensive) + movēre to move

Idioms and Phrases

see cause a commotion .

Synonym Study

See ado.

Example Sentences

She said she was eight months pregnant at the time and was hiding in the bathroom, from where she could hear a commotion.

From BBC

He told the jury he managed to break free of the officer and had a look into the kitchen after hearing the commotion.

From BBC

Once the commotion ceased, the loader and Mr Diriye picked up their dead colleague from the front seat and put him in the back of the truck.

From BBC

Some passersby paused to check out the commotion, perhaps waiting to see if the unconscious man would make it.

From Los Angeles Times

Referees whistle above the commotion, dramatically slapping the floor after a takedown.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• agitation
• annoyance
• brouhaha
• bustle
• confusion
• excitement
• ferment
• flap
• furor
• fuss
• hubbub
• outcry
• pandemonium
• rebellion
• revolt
• tumult
• turbulence
• upheaval