commotion
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.”
How to use commotion
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA noisy, chaotic fuss or disturbance.
Word forms
commotions plural
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
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
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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.