# disorderly

/dɪˈsɔɹdɝɫi/ (US) · /dɪsˈɔːdəli/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/disorderly
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. messy or untidy

adjective · CEFR B2

not neat or organized; messy.

For teachers: lacking a systematic arrangement or organized pattern; characterized by disarray.

- The desk was covered in a disorderly pile of old newspapers and mail.
- The evacuation was a disorderly affair, with residents fleeing in various directions rather than following the established emergency protocols.

### 2. unruly or law-breaking

adjective · CEFR B2 · Formal

behaving in a loud, rude, or violent way that breaks public rules.

For teachers: violating public order, peace, or decency; often used in legal contexts regarding unruly behavior.

- The police arrested several people for disorderly conduct after the protest turned violent.
- The magistrate warned that any further disorderly behavior in the courtroom would result in immediate contempt charges.

### 3. in a messy way

adverb · CEFR C1 · Formal

doing something in a way that is not organized or controlled.

For teachers: in a manner characterized by a lack of order, discipline, or systematic arrangement.

- The crowd moved disorderly toward the exits when the alarm rang.
- The documents were filed so disorderly that it took the auditors three weeks to reconstruct the financial history of the firm.

## Examples

- The crowd became disorderly after the game ended.
- The police were called to the scene to manage a group of disorderly protesters blocking the main road.
- The judge noted that while the defendant's conduct was technically disorderly, it did not meet the threshold for a criminal conviction under the current statutes.

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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.