Word
altercation
Phoneticsal·ter·ca·tion, stress on the third syllable
US/ˌɑɫtɝˈkeɪʃən/
UK/ˌɒltəkˈeɪʃən/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a loud or angry argument between people. It is usually a short, public fight that does not involve physical violence.
n. a noisy, public disagreement or dispute. Often implies a verbal clash rather than a physical one, though it may precede physical violence.
Examples
“The two drivers had a brief altercation over a parking space.”
“Police were called to the stadium after a heated altercation broke out between rival fans in the parking lot.”
“What began as a minor professional disagreement escalated into a public altercation that ultimately damaged the reputations of both scientists involved.”
Examples
simple
“The two drivers had a brief altercation over a parking space.”
contextual
“Police were called to the stadium after a heated altercation broke out between rival fans in the parking lot.”
complex
“What began as a minor professional disagreement escalated into a public altercation that ultimately damaged the reputations of both scientists involved.”
Usage
Often paired with the verbs 'have', 'get into', or 'lead to'.
Real-World Examples
“So that means minor altercations over trivial issues can suddenly turn lethal.” “The 55-year-old was injured in an altercation on a disused railway line off Blacker Lane in Calder Grove, Wakefield, at about 13:30 BST on Saturday.” Etymology
Borrowed from Latin altercātiō. Cognates * Catalan altercació * Italian altercazione * Occitan altercatio, altercassion * Portuguese altercação * Spanish altercación
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/altercation