rowdy

1 of 2

adjective

row·​dy ˈrau̇-dē 

rowdier; rowdiest

: coarse or boisterous in behavior : rough

also : characterized by such behavior

rowdy local bars

rowdily

ˈrau̇-də-lē 

adverb

rowdiness

ˈrau̇-dē-nəs 

noun

rowdyish

ˈrau̇-dē-ish 

adjective

rowdy

2 of 2

noun

plural rowdies

: a rowdy person : tough

Synonyms of rowdy

Adjective

• boisterous
• raucous
• rambunctious
• lively
• noisy
• violent
• rollicking
• rumbustious
• robustious

Noun

• thug
• criminal
• tough
• gangster
• hooligan
• pirate
• bandit
• ruffian
• villain

Examples of rowdy in a Sentence

Adjective

a rowdy game of basketball

a rowdy but good-natured group of teenagers

Noun

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Jeep Wrangler Anvil 715 Concept Of all the 2026 Easter Jeep Safari builds, this has to be the rowdiest. —Caleb Jacobs, The Drive, 26 Mar. 2026

Caught up in the national fervor that summer, a rowdy group of lawless protesters made their way to Baltimore’s Columbus Piazza. —Torrey Snow, Baltimore Sun, 25 Mar. 2026

The decline in arrests comes as both spring break destinations are cracking down on rowdy college students after videos from both locations showed chaotic scenes and violence plaguing the sandy shores. —Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 23 Mar. 2026

Koe Wetzel Wetzel’s debut was raucous and rowdy in the best ways. —Joey Guerra, Houston Chronicle, 23 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

perhaps irregular from row entry 5

First Known Use

Adjective

1832, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1865, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for rowdy

• cloudy
• dowdy
• howdy

Kids Definition

rowdy

1 of 2 adjective

row·​dy ˈrau̇d-ē 

rowdier; rowdiest

: rough or loud in behavior

rowdiness noun

rowdy

2 of 2 noun

plural rowdies

: a rowdy person