rowdy

¹row·dy

adjective \ˈrau̇-dē\

row·di·errow·di·est

Definition of ROWDY

: coarse or boisterous in behavior : rough; also : characterized by such behavior <rowdy local bars>

— row·di·ly \ˈrau̇-d^əl-ē\ adverb

— row·di·ness \ˈrau̇-dē-nəs\ noun

— row·dy·ish \-ish\ adjective

Examples of ROWDY

1. a rowdy game of basketball
2. <a rowdy but good-natured group of teenagers>

Origin of ROWDY

perhaps irregular from ⁵row

First Known Use: 1819

Related to ROWDY

Synonyms

hell-raising, knockabout, rambunctious, raucous, robustious, roisterous, rollicking, boisterous, rumbustious [chiefly British]

Antonyms

orderly

Related Words

callithumpian, carnival, carnivalesque, larrikin [chiefly Australian], raffish, rampageous, raucous, riotous, rowdyish, ruffianly; stormy, tempestuous, turbulent, violent; headstrong, intractable, obstreperous, recalcitrant, uncontrollable, uncontrolled, undisciplined, ungovernable, uninhibited, unmanageable, unreserved, unrestrained, unruly, wild, willful (or wilful); bubbly, buoyant, effervescent, exuberant, high-spirited, impassioned, lively, sprightly, vivacious; clamorous, loudmouthed, noisy, openmouthed, rackety, strident, vociferous; howling, screaming, yelling

Near Antonyms

sedate, sober, solemn, somber (or sombre), 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 (or stoical), stolid; depressed; aloof, detached, indifferent

Rhymes with ROWDY

cloudy, dowdy, howdy

²rowdy

noun

plural rowdies

Definition of ROWDY

: a rowdy person : tough

Examples of ROWDY

1. <rowdies had overtaken the neighborhood and were threatening people on the street>

First Known Use of ROWDY

1808

Related to ROWDY

Synonyms

bully, gangbanger, gangsta, gangster, goon, gorilla, homeboy, homey (or homie), hood, hooligan, mobster, mug, plug-ugly, punk, roughneck, hoodlum, ruffian, thug, tough, toughie (also toughy), yob [British], yobbo [British]

Related Words

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]

Rhymes with ROWDY

dowdy, howdy