disorderly

1 of 2

adverb

dis·​or·​der·​ly (ˌ)dis-ˈȯrd-ər-lē 

(ˌ)diz-

archaic

: in a disorderly manner

disorderly

2 of 2

adjective

1

: engaged in conduct offensive to public order

charged with being drunk and disorderly

2

: characterized by disorder

a disorderly pile of clothes

disorderliness noun

Synonyms

Adjective

• anarchic
• anarchical
• lawbreaking
• lawless
• unruly

Examples of disorderly in a Sentence

Adjective

She was charged with being drunk and disorderly.

He was found guilty of disorderly conduct.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Liquidity, not hand-wringing, is what will keep a shaky world from cascading into disorderly defaults. —Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 7 May 2025

On April 1, prosecutors dropped the child neglect charge against Anderson and charged her with disorderly conduct and disorderly intoxication, which are both misdemeanors, WESH reports. —Kc Baker, People.com, 21 Apr. 2025

Cuban-American actor William Levy has spoken out following his arrest in South Florida on charges of disorderly intoxication and trespassing on Monday. —Arick Wierson, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Apr. 2025

Levy, 44, was arrested Monday night in Weston, about 30 miles north of Miami, and charged with trespassing and disorderly intoxication. —Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 16 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adverb

1560, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1555, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing disorderly

• disorderly conduct
• disorderly house

Rhymes for disorderly

• orderly

Kids Definition

disorderly

adjective

dis·​or·​der·​ly

(ˈ)dis-ȯrd-ər-lē

1

: not behaving quietly or well : upsetting public order : unruly

disorderly persons

disorderly conduct

2

: not neat or orderly

a disorderly mass of papers

disorderliness noun