rowdy

1 of 2

adjective

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

rowdy

2 of 2

noun

plural rowdies
: a rowdy person : tough

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
In Aurora, some of the attendees became drunk and rowdy. Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025 Flipper’s Boogie Palace at LaCienega and Santa Monica was also the A lister’s night spot of its time, the roller disco home of the trendy (including a young Laura Dern), many in glitter hot pants ready for the rowdy rink. Merle Ginsberg, HollywoodReporter, 6 Sep. 2025 At first, the route was a challenge, as the middle school students were rowdy. Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 6 Sep. 2025 Luca Guadagnino’s cancel-culture drama set in the world of academia did not play well at his native Italian festival, and on the eve of a rowdy press conference. Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2025 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

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Cite this Entry

“Rowdy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rowdy. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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