rambunctious

adjective

ram·​bunc·​tious ram-ˈbəŋk-shəs How to pronounce rambunctious (audio)
: marked by uncontrollable exuberance : unruly
rambunctiously adverb
rambunctiousness noun

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Rambunctious Has (Possible) British Origins

Rambunctious first appeared in print in the early half of the 19th century, at a time when the fast-growing United States was forging its identity and indulging in a fashion for colorful new coinages suggestive of the young nation's optimism and exuberance. Rip-roaring, scalawag, scrumptious, hornswoggle, and skedaddle are other examples of the lively language of that era. Did Americans alter the largely British rumbustious because it sounded, well, British? That could be. Rumbustious, which first appeared in Britain in the late 1700s just after the signing of the Declaration of Independence, was probably based on robustious, a much older adjective that meant both "robust" and "boisterous."

Examples of rambunctious in a Sentence

that beach is often taken over by packs of rambunctious young people, so don't go there expecting peace and quiet
Recent Examples on the Web The City of Baths, also known for its rambunctious ruin bars, has for centuries beckoned travelers with a salve for their ailments. Alia Akkam, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Mar. 2024 Stone’s is as rambunctious as Gladstone’s is muted. Condé Nast, The New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2024 Our testing parent recommends this set for toddlers aged 2 and up, praising its solid design that remains stable, even when put to the test by a rambunctious kid. Samantha McIntyre, Parents, 9 Mar. 2024 All of you taught me countless lessons and put up with a very young, rambunctious kid that was full of immaturity, stupidity and cockiness. Brendan Le, Peoplemag, 4 Mar. 2024 Sixteen-year-old Seydou (Seydou Sarr) and his cousin and best buddy Moussa (Moustapha Fall) are a rambunctious duo who love joining in the impromptu music and dance festivals that throng the streets of Dakar. Peter Rainer, The Christian Science Monitor, 22 Feb. 2024 But now meteorologists are predicting the return of El Niño’s rambunctious sister, La Niña. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts a 55% chance of La Niña developing between June and August and lasting into the winter. Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 21 Feb. 2024 The books center on Spot, a rambunctious and curious puppy, and his adventures with family and friends. Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Feb. 2024 Most of the dogs here are rambunctious but friendly. John Leland, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'rambunctious.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

probably alteration of rumbustious

First Known Use

1830, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of rambunctious was in 1830

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Cite this Entry

“Rambunctious.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rambunctious. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

rambunctious

adjective
ram·​bunc·​tious ram-ˈbəŋ(k)-shəs How to pronounce rambunctious (audio)
: not under control : unruly, exuberant
rambunctiously adverb
rambunctiousness noun

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