riotous Hear it!

riotous Definition

ri·ot·ous (ət əs)

adjective

    1. having the nature of a riot
    2. engaging in rioting or inciting to riot
  1. without restraint; disorderly; boisterous
  2. dissolute; profligate riotous living
  3. luxuriant or profuse

Etymology: ME < OFr rioteus

riotous Related Forms

ri·ot·ously adverb ri·ot·ous·ness noun

riotous Synonyms

riotous

modif.

  1. Rebellious

    tumultuous, brawling, disorderly; see rebellious 2, unruly.

  2. Wanton

    reveling, roistering, dissolute, excessive; see lewd 2.

riotous Usage Examples

Modifying Another Word

  • so: In the 19th century it became so riotous it had to be banned for fifty years.
  • very: These festivities became very riotous as people began to abandon themselves and became drunken and out of order.
  • fairly: All right, I didn't steal or kill anyone, but I had a fairly riotous time.
  • sometimes: Very informal - sometimes riotous - pub quiz every Thursday night from about nine.

Modifies a noun

  • mob: Their planned public meeting was broken up by a large riotous mob.
  • applause: They exited the stage to a peel of riotous applause from one man sitting in the third row.
  • assemblage: All the defendants except Henry Haycock were found guilty of riotous assemblage and given prison sentences of between 14 days and 4 months.
  • comedy: The answers are to be found in Edward's Theater Company's production of Dario Fo's riotous comedy.
  • assembly: The Proctors were forced to give evidence at the ensuing trial of nine people for inciting riotous assembly.
  • living: Judas rejected the Lord Give me of riotous living.

Used with adjective complement

become: In the 19th century it became so riotous it had to be banned for fifty years.