noun
riot
REYE-uht
noun
1
A violent public disturbance caused by a crowd.
"A riot broke out after the controversial verdict."
2
(informal) Someone or something hilariously funny or wildly entertaining.
"The comedian was an absolute riot."
verb
1
To take part in a violent public disturbance.
"Fans rioted in the streets after the team's loss."
How to Use Riot
Learner’s notesIn 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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Etymology
From Old French riote, "a dispute or quarrel," ultimately linked to the verb rioter, "to quarrel."