English Explanatory Dictionary

hooligan

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A young person who causes trouble or violence, typically as a member of a gang or other group.
  2. Ellipsis of football hooligan.
  3. A member of the United States Coast Guard.
verb
  1. To act as a hooligan (etymology 1, noun sense 1).
  2. To treat (a person) roughly.
noun
  1. A type of fish, an anadromous smelt, Thaleichthys pacificus, found in the North Pacific.

Pronunciation

/ˈhuː.lɪ.ɡən/ en-uk-hooligan.ogg En-au-Wholigan.ogg

Word forms

hooligan hooligans hooliganing hooliganed

Etymology

Probably a variant of the Irish surname Houlihan, 1890s.

Synonyms

agitator bad boy bad news bear beggar bhoy blackguard booger boot boy bovver boy brat brawler breedbate buffoon bugger bully charva cutup devil elf enfant terrible firebrand gadfly hell-raiser hood hoodlum hool hoolie hooligan hothead imp inciter initiator instigator jackanapes joker jokester kindle-coal kindle-fire knave lout makebate minx mischief mischief-maker miscreant ne'er-do-well pixie pot stirrer practical joker prankster puck punk rabble rouser rakeshame rantipole rapscallion rascal rogue roly-poly

Related words

hooliganism lout thug yob yobbo

Derived words

antihooligan fooligan hool hoolie hooligan firm hooliganish hooliganize hooliganry hooligan tool hoolivan hoonigan Hughligan Wholigan
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