noun
rabble
RA-buhl
Rabble (noun) means a disorderly, unruly crowd of people. Example: “Security struggled to hold back the rabble outside the stadium gates.”
noun
1
A disorderly, unruly crowd of people.
"Security struggled to hold back the rabble outside the stadium gates."
2
A dismissive term for ordinary or common people, viewed as beneath one's notice.
"The aristocrat referred to the townsfolk as "the rabble.""
How to use rabble
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA messy, disorderly crowd — often used with contempt for ordinary people en masse.
When to use it
Almost always negative or condescending in tone.
Common pairings
rabble-rouser
an unruly rabble
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Word forms
- Plural
- rabbles
- Third person singular
- rabbles
- Past tense
- rabbled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Security struggled to hold back the _____ outside the stadium gates.
Etymology
From Middle English rablen, meaning to ramble or speak incoherently — the sense shifted from confused talk to a confused, unruly mass of people.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for rabble
See all rhymes for rabble →Frequently asked questions
What does “rabble” mean?
The word “rabble” means a disorderly, unruly crowd of people. In plain terms, a messy, disorderly crowd — often used with contempt for ordinary people en masse.
How do you pronounce “rabble”?
“Rabble” is pronounced RA-buhl (/ˈɹæbəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “rabble” in a sentence?
Here is “rabble” used in a sentence: “Security struggled to hold back the rabble outside the stadium gates.”
What part of speech is “rabble”?
“Rabble” is a noun.
Where does the word “rabble” come from?
The word “rabble” comes from Middle English. From Middle English rablen, meaning to ramble or speak incoherently — the sense shifted from confused talk to a confused, unruly mass of people.
How many meanings does “rabble” have?
“Rabble” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a disorderly, unruly crowd of people.
