riot
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
a situation where a large group of people behaves in a violent way in public, often damaging buildings or fighting.
a tumultuous disturbance of the public peace by a large group of people, typically involving violence and property damage.
Simple“The city was quiet for days after the violent riot in the town square.”
In context“The government declared a state of emergency following a series of riots that broke out in response to the new tax laws.”
Synonyms - 02 C1 Advanced
a large and beautiful variety of something, especially colours or flowers.
a vivid, unconstrained, or impressive variety of something, often used to describe visual displays.
Simple“In the spring, the garden is a riot of colour with all the different flowers.”
In context“The artist's later works are a riot of textures and shapes, marking a departure from his earlier, more minimalist style.”
- 03 C1 Advanced
a person or an event that is very funny or entertaining.
a person, thing, or situation that is remarkably humorous or entertaining.
Simple“You should meet my cousin; he is a total riot at parties.”
In context“The comedy show was a complete riot, leaving the audience exhausted from laughing for two hours straight.”
“Montez said that the area around his building had been patrolled by the GAULA, a special anti-extortion and kidnapping military unit, but they were pulled away due to a prison riot on Monday night.”
“The president is suing the BBC over an episode of Panorama that edited together two different sections of a speech he gave before the 2021 Capitol riots.”
From Middle English riot (“debauched living, dissipation”), from Old French riote (“debate”), from rioter (“to quarrel”), perhaps related to riboter or from Latin rugio (“I roar”). Compare French riotte and Occitan riòta.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.