hooligan
8 synonyms for hooligan, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A violent or destructive troublemaker, especially one acting as part of a rowdy group.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use hooligan
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
football hooligan
gang of hooligans
Etymology
Probably derived from the Irish surname Houlihan, first used this way in 1890s London.
Full origin of 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.
