hooligan

noun

hoo·​li·​gan ˈhü-li-gən 

plural hooligans

: a usually young man who engages in rowdy or violent behavior especially as part of a group or gang : ruffian, hoodlum

We had four great beefy hooligans on to us when Linton got his tooth knocked out.

—P. G. Wodehouse

"At school I ran with the hooligans and tried to act tough."

—John Keen

More recently the tabloid press dubbed English football hooligans "lager louts" as if it was the fizzy beer that was the problem rather than that many supporters were more interested in fighting than football.

—Henry Jeffreys

Synonyms

• bully
• gangbanger
• gangsta
• gangster
• goon
• gorilla
• hood
• hoodlum
• mobster
• mug
• plug-ugly
• punk
• roughneck
• rowdy
• ruffian
• thug
• tough
• toughie
• toughy
• yob [British]
• yobbo [British]

Examples of hooligan in a Sentence

London bobbies clearing the streets of hooligans

Recent Examples on the Web

Onstage, Idles felt like a powder keg ready to blow, turning a Queens audience into socially conscious soccer hooligans for the night. —William Earl, Variety, 28 Sep. 2024

Many notorious hooligan firms incorporated the brand into their match-day uniforms, making Stone Island a symbol of rebellious style and fierce loyalty. —Michael Stefanov, Robb Report, 18 Sep. 2024

From drag queens to football hooligans, the diverse runway show had it all—even a closing concert from experimental pop duo Mermaid Chunky. —Gemma A. Williams, Forbes, 18 Sep. 2024

While they were popularised by 1950s rock 'n' roll hooligans, this style of leather jacket has steadily cemented itself in many wardrobes. —Alexandra Koster, refinery29.com, 25 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

perhaps from Patrick Hooligan who flourished in 1896 as an Irish hoodlum in Southwark, London

First Known Use

1896, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

hooligan

noun

hoo·​li·​gan ˈhü-li-gən 

: hoodlum sense 2

Etymology

perhaps from the name of Patrick Hooligan, an Irish hoodlum who lived in London around 1898