hooligan
Hooligan (noun) means a violent or destructive troublemaker, especially one acting as part of a rowdy group. Example: “Football hooligans clashed with police outside the stadium.”
How to use hooligan
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA rowdy, destructive troublemaker, often used for violent sports fans or rioters.
Word forms
hooliganed past tense, hooligan plural, hooligans plural, hooligans singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Football _____ clashed with police outside the stadium.
Etymology
Probably derived from the Irish surname Houlihan, first used this way in 1890s London.
Rhymes for hooligan
Frequently asked questions
What does “hooligan” mean?
The word “hooligan” means a violent or destructive troublemaker, especially one acting as part of a rowdy group. In plain terms, a rowdy, destructive troublemaker, often used for violent sports fans or rioters.
How do you pronounce “hooligan”?
“Hooligan” is pronounced HOO-lih-guhn (/ˈhuː.lɪ.ɡən/ in IPA).
How do you use “hooligan” in a sentence?
Here is “hooligan” used in a sentence: “Football hooligans clashed with police outside the stadium.”
What part of speech is “hooligan”?
“Hooligan” is a noun.
Where does the word “hooligan” come from?
The word “hooligan” dates back to around 1890 and comes from Irish. Probably derived from the Irish surname Houlihan, first used this way in 1890s London.
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