riot

UK:*UK and possibly other pronunciationsUK and possibly other pronunciations/ˈraɪət/US:USA pronunciation: IPA and respellingUSA pronunciation: IPA/ˈraɪət/ ,USA pronunciation: respelling(rīət)


WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025
ri•ot /ˈraɪət/USA pronunciation   n. [countable]
  1. a noisy, violent public disorder:The arrest caused a riot in the city.
  2. a wild mix or confusion:a riot of colors.
  3. something or someone very funny or amusing:[usually singular* a + ~]You were a riot at the party.

v. [no object]
  1. to take part in a violent public disturbance:thousands rioting in the streets.
Idioms
  1. Idioms run riot, [no ob] to behave wildly:The townspeople ran riot after the verdict.

ri•ot•er, n. [countable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025
ri•ot  (rīət),USA pronunciation n. 
  1. a noisy, violent public disorder caused by a group or crowd of persons, as by a crowd protesting against another group, a government policy, etc., in the streets.
  2. Lawa disturbance of the public peace by three or more persons acting together in a disrupting and tumultuous manner in carrying out their private purposes.
  3. violent or wild disorder or confusion.
  4. a brilliant display:a riot of color.
  5. something or someone hilariously funny:You were a riot at the party.
  6. unrestrained revelry.
  7. an unbridled outbreak, as of emotions, passions, etc.
  8. [Archaic.]loose, wanton living;
    profligacy.
  9. run riot:
    • to act without control or restraint:The neighbors let their children run riot.
    • to grow luxuriantly or abundantly:Crab grass is running riot in our lawn.

v.i. 
  1. to take part in a riot or disorderly public outbreak.
  2. to live in a loose or wanton manner;
    indulge in unrestrained revelry:Many of the Roman emperors rioted notoriously.
  3. Sport[Hunting.](of a hound or pack) to pursue an animal other than the intended quarry.
  4. to indulge unrestrainedly;
    run riot.

v.t. 
  1. to spend (money, time, etc.) in riotous living (usually fol. by away or out).
  • Old French rihoter, riot(t)er
  • Old French riot(e) debate, dispute, quarrel, derivative of rihoter, riot(t)er to quarrel; (verb, verbal) Middle English rioten
  • (noun, nominal) Middle English: debauchery, revel, violent disturbance 1175–1225
riot•er, n. 
    • 1.See corresponding entry in Unabridged outbreak, brawl, fray, melee.
    • 3.See corresponding entry in Unabridged uproar, tumult, disturbance.
    • 10.See corresponding entry in Unabridged brawl, fight.
    • 11.See corresponding entry in Unabridged carouse.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
riot / ˈraɪət/
  1. a disturbance made by an unruly mob or (in law) three or more persons; tumult or uproar
  2. (as modifier): a riot gun, riot police, a riot shield
  3. boisterous activity; unrestrained revelry
  4. an occasion of boisterous merriment
  5. a person who occasions boisterous merriment
  6. a dazzling or arresting display: a riot of colour
  7. the indiscriminate following of any scent by hounds
  8. wanton lasciviousness
  9. run riot to behave wildly and without restraint
  10. (of plants) to grow rankly or profusely
  1. (intransitive) to take part in a riot
  2. (intransitive) to indulge in unrestrained revelry or merriment
  3. (transitive) followed by away: to spend (time or money) in wanton or loose living
Etymology: 13th Century: from Old French riote dispute, from ruihoter to quarrel, probably from ruir to make a commotion, from Latin rugīre to roarˈrioter
'riot' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
Collocations: sent in the riot [police, squad], [put on, wearing] riot gear, slang: read his [son, workers, students] the riot act, more...

Forum discussions with the word(s) "riot" in the title:


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