noun
Uncommon
commotion
kuh-MOH-shuhn
Commotion (noun) means a sudden burst of noisy confusion or disturbance. Example: “There was a commotion in the hallway as the fire alarm went off.”
noun
1
A sudden burst of noisy confusion or disturbance.
"There was a commotion in the hallway as the fire alarm went off."
"A commotion broke out among the crowd when the results were announced."
How to use commotion
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA noisy, chaotic fuss or disturbance.
Common pairings
cause a commotion
a commotion broke out
amid the commotion
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Word forms
- Plural
- commotions
Fill the gap
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There was a _____ in the hallway as the fire alarm went off.
Etymology
From Latin commotio ("agitation, disturbance"), from commovere ("to stir up violently") — the same root as "commove" and "motion."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for commotion
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for commotion →
Frequently asked questions
What does “commotion” mean?
The word “commotion” means a sudden burst of noisy confusion or disturbance. In plain terms, a noisy, chaotic fuss or disturbance.
How do you pronounce “commotion”?
“Commotion” is pronounced kuh-MOH-shuhn (/kəˈmoʊ.ʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “commotion” in a sentence?
Here is “commotion” used in a sentence: “There was a commotion in the hallway as the fire alarm went off.”
What is another word for “commotion”?
Words with a similar meaning to “commotion” include ado, argy-bargy, bangarang, bobbery, brouhaha and bunfight.
What part of speech is “commotion”?
“Commotion” is a noun.
Where does the word “commotion” come from?
The word “commotion” comes from Latin. From Latin commotio ("agitation, disturbance"), from commovere ("to stir up violently") — the same root as "commove" and "motion.".
Is “commotion” a common word?
“Commotion” is an uncommon word in modern English.
