rowdy

[ rou-dee ]

noun

, plural row·dies.

1. a rough, disorderly person.

adjective

, row·di·er, row·di·est.

1. rough and disorderly:

   rowdy behavior at school.

2. Slang. great; very enjoyable, often with boisterous fun:

   a rowdy time at the arcade with my best friends.

   Synonyms: obstreperous, unruly, boisterous

rowdy

/ ˈraʊdɪ /

adjective

1. tending to create noisy disturbances; rough, loud, or disorderly

   a rowdy gang of football supporters

noun

1. a person who behaves in a rough disorderly fashion

Derived Forms

• ˈrowdily, adverb
• ˈrowdiness, noun

Other Words From

• row·di·ly adverb
• row·di·ness noun
• un·row·dy adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of rowdy¹

An Americanism dating back to 1810–20; perhaps from row ³

Word History and Origins

Origin of rowdy¹

C19: originally US slang, perhaps related to row ³

Example Sentences

On Centennial’s home turf — a rowdy, sold-out road environment — the Monarchs’ defensive quality shined.

From Los Angeles Times

Sexyy Red turned up for a rowdy take on the marching-band jam “Sticky” and playfully spanked Tyler after he did the same to her; Tyler took a hit from his asthma inhaler after that one.

From Los Angeles Times

The chorus is rowdy but there’s no happy ending; the good news he needs never arrives.

From New York Times

“Touch of Grey” introduced a new generation of fans to the Grateful Dead, many much rowdier than the Deadheads who had followed the group through the years.

From Los Angeles Times

"Those were the first times that Trump had ever given speeches to large, rowdy crowds that wanted red meat," says Ms Riesman.

From BBC

Related Words

• disorderly
• loud
• rambunctious
• raucous
• rebellious
• rude
• turbulent
• unruly
• uproarious