noun Common

riot

REYE-uht

Riot (noun) means a violent public disturbance caused by a crowd. Example: “A riot broke out after the controversial verdict.”

noun

A violent public disturbance caused by a crowd.

"A riot broke out after the controversial verdict."

(informal) Someone or something hilariously funny or wildly entertaining.

"The comedian was an absolute riot."

verb

To take part in a violent public disturbance.

"Fans rioted in the streets after the team's loss."

How to use riot

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA violent crowd disturbance, or informally, something extremely funny.

Common pairings

riot police break out into a riot a riot of color

Word forms

rioted past tense, riots plural, riots singular

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A _____ broke out after the controversial verdict.

Etymology

From Old French riote, "a dispute or quarrel," ultimately linked to the verb rioter, "to quarrel."

Origin: Old French

Synonyms

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uproar tumult commotion rampage insurrection melee anarchy breach of the peace chaos discord trouble disorder

Related words

order problem wife disease agreement worry trouble conflict

Rhymes for riot

idiot Eliot Elliot patriot chariot Herriot Iscariot compatriot

See all rhymes for riot →

Frequently asked questions

What does “riot” mean?

The word “riot” means a violent public disturbance caused by a crowd. In plain terms, a violent crowd disturbance, or informally, something extremely funny.

How do you pronounce “riot”?

“Riot” is pronounced REYE-uht (/ˈɹaɪ.ət/ in IPA).

How do you use “riot” in a sentence?

Here is “riot” used in a sentence: “A riot broke out after the controversial verdict.”

What is another word for “riot”?

Words with a similar meaning to “riot” include anarchy, breach of the peace, chaos, discord, trouble and disorder.

What part of speech is “riot”?

Depending on how it is used, “riot” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “riot” come from?

The word “riot” comes from Old French. From Old French riote, "a dispute or quarrel," ultimately linked to the verb rioter, "to quarrel.".

Is “riot” a common word?

“Riot” is a fairly common word in modern English.

How many meanings does “riot” have?

“Riot” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a violent public disturbance caused by a crowd.

What is the difference between a riot and a protest?

A protest is a public expression of objection and can be entirely peaceful and lawful. A riot is a violent public disturbance caused by a crowd, typically involving destruction or fighting. A protest can turn into a riot, but the two words are not interchangeable.

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