noun
Uncommon
brawl
brawl
Brawl (noun) means a rough, disorderly fight or argument, usually involving several people. Example: “A brawl broke out in the parking lot after the game.”
noun
1
A rough, disorderly fight or argument, usually involving several people.
"A brawl broke out in the parking lot after the game."
"Police were called to break up a brawl outside the bar."
verb
1
To take part in a rowdy fight or noisy quarrel.
"The two rival fans started brawling on the sidewalk."
How to use brawl
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA messy, chaotic fight — more disorganized shoving and shouting than a proper duel.
Common pairings
bar brawl
mass brawl
brawl broke out
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Word forms
- Plural
- brawls
- Third person singular
- brawls
- Past tense
- brawled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A _____ broke out in the parking lot after the game.
Etymology
From late Middle English braulen ("to clamour or quarrel"), likely related to bray and originally imitative of a loud, harsh noise.
Related words
Rhymes for brawl
See all rhymes for brawl →Frequently asked questions
What does “brawl” mean?
The word “brawl” means a rough, disorderly fight or argument, usually involving several people. In plain terms, a messy, chaotic fight — more disorganized shoving and shouting than a proper duel.
How do you pronounce “brawl”?
“Brawl” is pronounced brawl (/bɹɔːl/ in IPA).
How do you use “brawl” in a sentence?
Here is “brawl” used in a sentence: “A brawl broke out in the parking lot after the game.”
What part of speech is “brawl”?
Depending on how it is used, “brawl” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “brawl” come from?
The word “brawl” comes from Middle English. From late Middle English braulen ("to clamour or quarrel"), likely related to bray and originally imitative of a loud, harsh noise.
Is “brawl” a common word?
“Brawl” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “brawl” have?
“Brawl” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a rough, disorderly fight or argument, usually involving several people.
What is the difference between a brawl and a fight?
A brawl is specifically a rough, disorderly fight or argument that usually involves several people, while "fight" is a more general term that can describe a conflict between just two people. Brawls imply chaos and multiple participants.
What is the difference between a brawl and a riot?
A brawl is a disorderly fight typically involving a limited group of people in one location, while a riot is a larger-scale, often violent public disturbance involving a crowd. A brawl is smaller and more contained than a riot.
Can "brawl" be used as a verb?
Yes, "brawl" can function as a verb meaning to take part in a rowdy fight or noisy quarrel, as in "the two men brawled outside the bar."
