fracas

[ frey-kuhs, frak-uhs; British frak-ah ]

noun

1. a noisy, disorderly disturbance or fight; riotous brawl; uproar.

fracas

/ ˈfrækɑː /

noun

1. a noisy quarrel; brawl

Word History and Origins

Origin of fracas¹

First recorded in 1720–30; < French, from Italian fracasso, derivative of fracassare “to smash,” equivalent to fra- “completely” (from Latin infrā “among”) + cassare “to break”; cassation

Word History and Origins

Origin of fracas¹

C18: from French, from fracasser to shatter, from Latin frangere to break, influenced by quassāre to shatter

Example Sentences

A fracas ensued and the group eventually left, with Martin arrested in Chelmsford and the three others later detained by police in Southend-on-Sea.

From BBC

French fans booed the Argentinian national anthem before the match at Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux, and the fracas at the final whistle highlighted the rivalry and tension.

From BBC

Police made 18 arrests during the fracas, but the reporter was the only person the city attorney’s office filed failure-to-disperse charges against.

From Los Angeles Times

Outbursts in Randle’s case are nothing new, and this fracas raises questions about whether Superior Court Judge John W. Kennedy, who is presiding over the case, will declare a mistrial.

From Los Angeles Times

But after returning last year to right the ship following the Will Smith fracas, Kimmel has proven adept at a balancing act that has eluded most others.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• altercation
• bickering
• brawl
• brouhaha
• feud
• flap
• fray
• free-for-all
• melee
• quarrel
• riot
• scuffle
• squabble
• tumult
• uproar