noun

hooligan

HOO-lih-guhn

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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.”

noun

A violent or destructive troublemaker, especially one acting as part of a rowdy group.

"Football hooligans clashed with police outside the stadium."

How to use hooligan

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA rowdy, destructive troublemaker, often used for violent sports fans or rioters.

Common pairings

football hooligan gang of hooligans

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Word forms

Plural: hooligans
Third person singular: hooligans
Past tense: hooliganed

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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.

Origin: Irish · First attested 1890

Class of 1890 hooligan joined the language around 1890.

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Synonyms

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ruffian roughneck rowdy yob tough yobbo yobo bully

Related words

hard easy strong difficult excellent tough hero weak

Rhymes for hooligan

Madigan Michigan cardigan Corrigan Gilligan Milligan Mulligan Kerrigan Harrigan Hannigan ptarmigan Brannigan

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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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