riot

[ rahy-uht ]

/ ˈraɪ ət /

noun

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.

Law. a disturbance of the public peace by three or more persons acting together in a disrupting and tumultuous manner in carrying out their private purposes.

violent or wild disorder or confusion.

a brilliant display: a riot of color.

something or someone hilariously funny: You were a riot at the party.

unrestrained revelry.

an unbridled outbreak, as of emotions, passions, etc.

Archaic. loose, wanton living; profligacy.

verb (used without object)

to take part in a riot or disorderly public outbreak.

to live in a loose or wanton manner; indulge in unrestrained revelry: Many of the Roman emperors rioted notoriously.

Hunting. (of a hound or pack) to pursue an animal other than the intended quarry.

to indulge unrestrainedly; run riot.

verb (used with object)

to spend (money, time, etc.) in riotous living (usually followed by away or out).

Idioms for riot

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.

Origin of riot

1175–1225; (noun) Middle English: debauchery, revel, violent disturbance < Old French riot(e) debate, dispute, quarrel, derivative of rihoter, riot(t)er to quarrel; (v.) Middle English rioten < Old French rihoter, riot(t)er

SYNONYMS FOR riot

1 outbreak, brawl, fray, melee.

3 uproar, tumult, disturbance.

9 brawl, fight.

10 carouse.

SEE SYNONYMS FOR riot ON THESAURUS.COM

OTHER WORDS FROM riot

ri·ot·er, noun an·ti·ri·ot, adjective, noun coun·ter·ri·ot·er, noun non·ri·ot·er, noun

non·ri·ot·ing, adjective un·ri·ot·ing, adjective

Words nearby riot

rioja, riolan's anastomosis, riomaggiore, rion strait, riopelle, riot, riot act, riot gun, riot shield, riot squad, riotous

British Dictionary definitions for run riot

riot

/ (ˈraɪət) /

noun

a disturbance made by an unruly mob or (in law) three or more persons; tumult or uproar
(as modifier)a riot gun; riot police; a riot shield

boisterous activity; unrestrained revelry

an occasion of boisterous merriment

slang a person who occasions boisterous merriment

a dazzling or arresting display a riot of colour

hunting the indiscriminate following of any scent by hounds

archaic wanton lasciviousness

run riot

to behave wildly and without restraint
(of plants) to grow rankly or profusely

verb

(intr) to take part in a riot

(intr) to indulge in unrestrained revelry or merriment

(tr foll by away) to spend (time or money) in wanton or loose living he has rioted away his life

Derived forms of riot

rioter, noun rioting, noun

Word Origin for riot

C13: from Old French riote dispute, from ruihoter to quarrel, probably from ruir to make a commotion, from Latin rugīre to roar

Idioms and Phrases with run riot (1 of 2)

run riot

see run amok.

Idioms and Phrases with run riot (2 of 2)

riot

see read the riot act; run amok (riot).

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

riot

noun

verb (used without object)

verb (used with object)

Idioms for riot

Origin of riot

SYNONYMS FOR riot

OTHER WORDS FROM riot

Words nearby riot

British Dictionary definitions for run riot

noun

verb

Derived forms of riot

Word Origin for riot

Idioms and Phrases with run riot (1 of 2)

Idioms and Phrases with run riot (2 of 2)

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

riot

noun

verb (used without object)

verb (used with object)

Idioms for riot

Origin of riot

SYNONYMS FOR riot

OTHER WORDS FROM riot

Words nearby riot

Words related to run riot

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []) .push({}); British Dictionary definitions for run riot

noun

verb

Derived forms of riot

Word Origin for riot

Idioms and Phrases with run riot (1 of 2)

Idioms and Phrases with run riot (2 of 2)

British Dictionary definitions for run riot