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

But Suarez said keeping his hands off the wheel has been a helpful exercise in restraint when dealing with a rowdy commission full of strong personalities and egos. —Miami Herald, 21 Dec. 2025

One of Stowers’ kills bounced off of the chest of Kentucky outside hitter and Topeka native Brooklyn DeLeye, igniting the rowdy 12th Man element in the stands. —Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 21 Dec. 2025

Love these always-rowdy elders at the retirement home. —William Earl, Variety, 14 Dec. 2025

Some cultures celebrate Krampusnacht by dressing as Krampus and holding a rowdy procession through town, according to Wipplinger. —Angelika Ytuarte, jsonline.com, 5 Dec. 2025

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