rigmarole

American  

[rig-muh-rohl] / ˈrɪg məˌroʊl /

Also rigamarole

noun

1. an elaborate or complicated procedure.

   to go through the rigmarole of a formal dinner.

2. confused, incoherent, foolish, or meaningless talk.

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rigmarole British  

/ ˈrɪɡməˌrəʊl /

noun

1. any long complicated procedure

2. a set of incoherent or pointless statements; garbled nonsense

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Usage

What is a rigmarole? A rigmarole is an elaborate or complicated procedure, as in Registering and insuring a car involves a lot of rigmarole. A rigmarole is any process or procedure that is overly complicated to the point that it may seem pointless or annoying to those who have to complete it. People will often refer to long, drawn-out explanations or formal introductions as rigmaroles. They will also frequently describe repetitive procedures, such as checking in, waiting in line for, or signing up for something, as rigmaroles. A rigmarole can also be confused, incoherent, foolish, or meaningless talk, as in The speaker just gave us a lot of rigmarole instead of any insight into the problem. This meaning is almost always used as an insult relating to speeches one disagrees with or an explanation that may have been too complex for them to understand. It is also sometimes used in reference to someone who speaks extremely fast or who uses obtuse or foreign vocabulary when speaking. Rigmarole can also be spelled rigamarole, which is pronounced rig-uh-ma-rohl. Example: Before I give the whole rigmarole, I would like to introduce my co-hosts.

Etymology

Origin of rigmarole

First recorded in 1730–40; alteration of ragman roll

Explanation

Rigmarole is a good word for talking about situations that involve filling out confusing forms, standing in lines, or following complex rules. Getting a driver's license, enrolling for college classes, and applying for a visa to travel abroad can all feel like rigmarole. In the 1700s, rigmarole meant "a long rambling discourse." It's thought to be a shortened form of ragman roll, which was a long legal document sewn into a roll in thirteenth century England and Scotland.

Example Sentences

What retirement experts have found is that the rigmarole around retirement is really about human behavior.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 10, 2026

So the next time he goes through the same rigmarole, nobody will take it seriously.

From Slate • Feb. 4, 2025

Even though she wants to stay informed, Fox said, she has taken a step back from keeping up with the daily rigmarole of politics.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 4, 2024

Once you’ve dealt with border-crossing rigmarole, pull over instead of speeding off.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 29, 2023

Lancelot, with an uncontrollable desire to get some of his misery off his chest by telling about it—and yet unable to tell the true story to this particular listener—began a long rigmarole about Elaine.

From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White