rowdy

1 of 2

adjective

row·​dy ˈrau̇-dē How to pronounce rowdy (audio)
rowdier; rowdiest
Synonyms of rowdy
: coarse or boisterous in behavior : rough
also : characterized by such behavior
rowdy local bars
rowdily
ˈrau̇-də-lē How to pronounce rowdy (audio)
adverb
rowdiness
ˈrau̇-dē-nəs How to pronounce rowdy (audio)
noun
rowdyish
ˈrau̇-dē-ish How to pronounce rowdy (audio)
adjective

rowdy

2 of 2

noun

plural rowdies
: a rowdy person : tough

Synonyms of rowdy

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Adjective

Noun

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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Skubal is deeply competitive, still fueled by his upbringing as a younger brother in a rowdy household. — Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2026 The Mystic of my childhood, though, had a modicum of edge — kids with anarchy symbols on their jackets skateboarded outside a coffee shop that reeked of weed, and locals got rowdy at a dysfunctional watering hole called the Draw Bridge Inne. — Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 31 July 2026 The applause after that particular song was the most raucous and rowdy of the night. — Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 30 July 2026 Audiences interested in the rock side of Lollapalooza will surely want to check out their early-evening set on the Bud Light stage, where fans will hopefully mosh and get rowdy. — Britt Julious, Chicago Tribune, 26 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for rowdy

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of rowdy was in 1832

Rhymes for rowdy

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Browse Nearby Words

row down
rowdy
rowdydow
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rowdy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rowdy. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

rowdy

1 of 2 adjective
row·​dy ˈrau̇d-ē How to pronounce rowdy (audio)
rowdier; rowdiest
: rough or loud in behavior
rowdiness noun

rowdy

2 of 2 noun
plural rowdies
: a rowdy person

More from Merriam-Webster on rowdy

Nglish: Translation of rowdy for Spanish Speakers

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