disorderly
disorderly Lexical Profile
disorderly Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Unruly, disruptive, or disturbing the public peace and decorum (often used in legal contexts).
"Several spectators were escorted out of the stadium for disorderly behavior during the match."
Lacking organization, neatness, or systematic arrangement; untidy or chaotic.
"She spent the entire afternoon sorting through the disorderly piles of paperwork on her desk."
• adverb
In a confused, disorganized, or unruly manner; without order or discipline.
"The crowd began to behave disorderly when the concert was abruptly canceled."
Word Nuance & Usage
Although ending in '-ly', 'disorderly' is primarily used as an adjective in modern English (as in 'disorderly conduct'); to express the adverbial sense, speakers typically use phrases like 'in a disorderly manner'.
• Rhymes for disorderly
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Formed in the early 16th century from the noun 'disorder' plus the adjective-forming suffix '-ly', modeled directly as the antonym of 'orderly'.