disorderly

1 of 2

adverb

dis·​or·​der·​ly (ˌ)dis-ˈȯrd-ər-lē How to pronounce disorderly (audio)
(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

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
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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 See All Example Sentences for disorderly

Word History

First Known Use

Adverb

1560, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1555, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of disorderly was in 1555

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Disorderly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disorderly. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.

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

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