# brawl

/ˈbɹɔɫ/ (US) · /bɹˈɔːl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/brawl
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. a noisy fight

noun · CEFR B2

a noisy, rough fight that often involves several people in a public place.

For teachers: a noisy, disorderly fight or physical altercation, typically involving a group of people in a public setting.

- The peaceful evening ended when a brawl broke out between fans outside the stadium.
- Security personnel were forced to intervene when a minor disagreement escalated into a full-scale brawl in the hotel lobby.

### 3. sound of water

verb · CEFR C2 · Literary

the loud, bubbling noise made by a fast stream of water running over rocks.

For teachers: to make a loud, confused, or gurgling noise, specifically used in a literary context to describe a rapid stream flowing over stones.

- We could hear the mountain stream brawl over the rocks in the distance.
- The poet described how the icy brook would brawl against the jagged stones of the ravine during the spring thaw.

### 4. historical dance

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic

an old type of French dance where people move in a circle or a line.

For teachers: An English name for the 'branle', a French choral dance from the 16th century performed in a circle or line.

- The musicians played a lively brawl for the dancers at the Renaissance fair.
- The courtly entertainment concluded with a traditional brawl, involving all the guests in a rhythmic circular procession.

Usage: Often spelled 'branle' in modern technical contexts regarding early music.

## Examples

- A loud brawl broke out near the bar.
- The football match ended in a brawl after the referee made a controversial call.
- The political debate quickly devolved into a bitter brawl, with both sides shouting over each other rather than listening.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.