English Explanatory Dictionary

riot

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A tumultuous disturbance of the public peace by a large group of people, often involving violence or damage to property.
  2. A wide and unconstrained variety.
  3. A humorous or entertaining event or person.
  4. Wanton or unrestrained behavior or emotion.
  5. Excessive and expensive feasting; wild and loose festivity; revelry.
verb
  1. To create or take part in a riot; to raise an uproar or sedition.
  2. To act in an unrestrained or wanton manner; to indulge in excess of feasting, luxury, etc.
  3. To cause to riot; to throw into a tumult.
  4. To annoy.

Pronunciation

/ˈɹaɪ.ət/ /ˈɹaɪ.ɪt/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-AcpoKrane-riot.wav

Word forms

riot riots rioting rioted

Etymology

From Middle English riot (“debauched living, dissipation”), from Old French riote (“debate”), from rioter (“to quarrel”), perhaps related to riboter or from Latin rugio (“to roar”). Compare French riotte and Occitan riòta.

Synonyms

anarchy breach of the peace chaos discord trouble disorder disorderliness disturbance instability lawlessness mayhem rioting riot rowdiness strife turbulence upheaval

Related words

commotion

Derived words

antiriot anti-riot ariot counterriot laugh riot postriot preriot race riot read someone the riot act riot act riot booster riot boosting rioter riot gear riot girl riot grrl riot grrrl riotise riotist riotless riot mask riot money riotous riot police riotproof riotry riot shield riot stairs run riot Swing riot nonrioting unrioted
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