Rowdy — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective noun /ˈrau̇-dē/ row·dy

Meaning & Definition of Rowdy

Rowdy (adjective)

  1. coarse or boisterous in behavior, rough; also, characterized by such behavior

Rowdy (noun)

  1. a rowdy person, tough

Rowdy (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. being rough or noisy in a high-spirited way

    "a rowdy but good-natured group of teenagers"

    similar: boisterous, hell-raising, knockabout, rambunctious, raucous, robustious, roisterous, rollicking, rumbustious (chiefly British), wild and woolly
    related: callithumpian, carnival, carnivalesque, larrikin (chiefly Australian), raffish, rampageous, riotous, rowdyish, ruffianly, stormy, tempestuous, turbulent, violent, headstrong, intractable, obstreperous, recalcitrant, uncontrollable, uncontrolled, undisciplined, ungovernable, uninhibited, unmanageable, unreserved, unrestrained, unruly, wild, willful, bubbly, buoyant, effervescent, exuberant, high-spirited, impassioned, lively, sprightly, vivacious, clamorous, loudmouthed, noisy, open-mouthed, rackety, strident, vociferous, howling, screaming, yelling
    opposite: orderly
    near: sedate, sober, solemn, somber, staid, decorous, dignified, proper, seemly, calm, hushed, noiseless, peaceful, placid, quiet, restrained, serene, silent, soundless, tranquil, collected, composed, constrained, controlled, imperturbable, inhibited, repressed, self-controlled, unflappable, unruffled, moderate, reasonable, subdued, temperate, impassive, phlegmatic, stoic, stolid, depressed, aloof, detached, indifferent

Rowdy (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a violent, brutal person who is often a member of an organized gang

    "rowdies had overtaken the neighborhood and were threatening people on the street"

    similar: bully, gangbanger, gangsta, gangster, goon, gorilla, hood, hoodlum, hooligan, mobster, mug, plug-ugly, punk, roughneck, ruffian, thug, tough, toughie, yob (British), yobbo (British)
    related: cutthroat, scoundrel, villain, assassin, bandit, bravo, brigand, criminal, crook, desperado, felon, gunman, highwayman, lawbreaker, mafioso, malefactor, offender, outlaw, perp, perpetrator, pirate, pickpocket, racketeer, robber, swindler, thief, vandal, juvenile delinquent, tearaway (British)

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Rowdy

The most common words with a similar meaning to Rowdy:

British: yob, yobbo
Chiefly British: rumbustious
boisterous, hell-raising, knockabout, rambunctious, raucous, robustious, roisterous, rollicking, wild and woolly, bully, gangbanger, gangsta, gangster, goon, gorilla, hood, hoodlum, hooligan, mobster, mug, plug-ugly, punk, roughneck, ruffian, thug, tough, toughie

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Rowdy

Words with the opposite meaning of Rowdy:

orderly

Related Words for Rowdy

callithumpian, carnival, carnivalesque, larrikin, raffish, rampageous, riotous, rowdyish, ruffianly, stormy, tempestuous, turbulent, violent, headstrong, intractable, obstreperous, recalcitrant, uncontrollable, uncontrolled, undisciplined, ungovernable, uninhibited, unmanageable, unreserved, unrestrained, unruly, wild, willful, bubbly, buoyant

Near Antonyms of Rowdy

sedate, sober, solemn, somber, staid, decorous, dignified, proper, seemly, calm, hushed, noiseless, peaceful, placid, quiet, restrained, serene, silent, soundless, tranquil, collected, composed, constrained, controlled, imperturbable, inhibited, repressed, self-controlled, unflappable, unruffled

Word Forms of Rowdy

Inflections: rowdier, rowdiest, rowdies

Derived words: rowdily (adverb), rowdiness (noun), rowdyish (adjective)

Origin & Etymology of Rowdy

perhaps irregular from row:5

First known use: 1832

Frequently Asked Questions about Rowdy

What does "Rowdy" mean?

"Rowdy" means coarse or boisterous in behavior, rough; also, characterized by such behavior. As an an adjective and a noun, it is defined as: coarse or boisterous in behavior, rough; also, characterized by such behavior. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Rowdy"?

Other words for "Rowdy" include boisterous, hell-raising, knockabout, rambunctious, raucous, robustious, roisterous and rollicking. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Rowdy" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Rowdy"?

There are 106 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Rowdy". Common alternatives include boisterous, hell-raising, knockabout, rambunctious, raucous, robustious, roisterous, rollicking, rumbustious and wild and woolly.

What is the opposite of "Rowdy"?

Antonyms of "Rowdy" include orderly. Near antonyms include sedate, sober, solemn and somber.

How do you use "Rowdy" in a sentence?

Examples of "Rowdy" in a sentence: "a rowdy but good-natured group of teenagers"; "rowdies had overtaken the neighborhood and were threatening people on the street".

Is "Rowdy" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Rowdy" can be used as an adjective and a noun, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Rowdy"?

"Rowdy" is pronounced /ˈrau̇-dē/ and divided into syllables as row·dy.

What is the origin of the word "Rowdy"?

"Rowdy" comes from perhaps irregular from row:5. First known use: 1832.