Word
brawling
Phoneticsbrawl·ing, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈbɹɔɫɪŋ/
UK/bɹˈɔːlɪŋ/
Definition
v. to fight in a loud and rough way, often with several people involved.
v. to engage in a noisy, disorderly physical fight, typically involving multiple participants.
Examples
“They are brawling in the street after the match.”
“Security guards rushed in when two groups started brawling near the bar entrance.”
“Reporters described fans brawling outside the stadium, turning a festive evening into a chaotic scene that police struggled to control.”
Examples
simple
“They are brawling in the street after the match.”
contextual
“Security guards rushed in when two groups started brawling near the bar entrance.”
complex
“Reporters described fans brawling outside the stadium, turning a festive evening into a chaotic scene that police struggled to control.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “brawling” in context.
Verb
01. arrest for brawling
“Three men were arrested for brawling in the town square.”
verb + prep + noun
02. brawling erupts
“Brawling erupted in the stands during the second half.”
noun + verb
03. brawling in street
“Fans were filmed brawling in the street after the game.”
verb + prep + noun
04. start brawling
“Two groups of fans started brawling after the final whistle.”
verb + noun
05. stop brawling
“Security guards rushed in to stop brawling among supporters.”
verb + noun
Adjective
06. drunken brawling
“Police were called to break up drunken brawling outside the stadium.”
adj + noun
07. public brawling
“Public brawling in the city centre led to several arrests.”
adj + noun
Noun
08. bout of brawling
“A brief bout of brawling delayed the start of the second half.”
noun + prep + noun
09. incident of brawling
“Police reported an incident of brawling near the station.”
noun + prep + noun
10. arrested for brawling in public
“He was arrested for brawling in public after the game.”
11. brawling erupted after the match
“Brawling erupted after the match between rival supporters.”
12. break up drunken brawling
“Police arrived quickly to break up drunken brawling outside the bar.”
Usage
The verb is intransitive and takes no direct object.
Real-World Examples
“The clashes that arise between differing factions of masculinity could be summed up by this photograph of a brawl between mods and rockers in Brighton in 1964.” “Airlines logged more than 1,000 serious disruptive passenger incidents in 2025, government figures show, including what it described as a mid-air brawl that caused a flight to be diverted.” “A passenger on a flight to Tel Aviv on Wednesday said he watched in horror as the plane’s pilots tumbled out of the cockpit, locked in a bloody brawl.” “Greek police are investigating the death of an 82-year-old man after a brawl over a sunlounger at a beach on the Athenian riviera.” Word family
VERB
NOUN
Related words
- 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.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL 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: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/brawling