disorderly

1 of 2

adverb

dis·​or·​der·​ly (ˌ)dis-ˈȯrd-ər-lē 

(ˌ)diz-

archaic

: in a disorderly manner

disorderly

2 of 2

adjective

1

: engaged in conduct offensive to public order

charged with being drunk and disorderly

2

: characterized by disorder

a disorderly pile of clothes

disorderliness noun

Synonyms

Adjective

• anarchical
• criminal
• rebellious
• anarchic
• illegal
• unruly

Examples of disorderly in a Sentence

Adjective

She was charged with being drunk and disorderly.

He was found guilty of disorderly conduct.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Released in March, the 14-track project does sound simultaneously disorderly and controlled, at once bursting at the seams and laced with moments of contemplative chill. —Katie Bain, Billboard, 3 July 2025

Some movie theaters are trying to crack down on the mayhem, with multiple U.K. theater chains having issued warnings about kicking out disorderly patrons. —Grace Tucker, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025

As a reminder, the South Shore Line reserves the right to remove disorderly passengers. —Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 23 June 2025

But the fighting at Lexington and Concord was unplanned on both sides, resulting in disorderly skirmishing. —Dan McLaughlin, National Review, 17 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adverb

1560, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1555, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing disorderly

• disorderly conduct
• disorderly house

Rhymes for disorderly

• orderly

Kids Definition

disorderly

adjective

dis·​or·​der·​ly

(ˈ)dis-ȯrd-ər-lē

1

: not behaving quietly or well : upsetting public order : unruly

disorderly persons

disorderly conduct

2

: not neat or orderly

a disorderly mass of papers

disorderliness noun