Vocabulary in context
SAT Vocabulary Workbook
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Raucous
Making or constituting a loud, harsh, and boisterous noise; unruly and disruptive.
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Imagine This
Two children are on a rocking chair. 'Rock us,' they asked their parents. When their parents rocked the chair, it made harsh and loud noises because the wooden floor was loose.
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Sounds Like
RAWK-us
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Looks Like
Looks like: rough, jagged, or messy lettering or imagery that conveys roughness and loudness.
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Remember This
Raucous is commonly used to describe crowds, laughter, or voices, not just physical sounds.
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Other Forms
raucousnessnoun
raucouslyadverb
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Connect With
Loudness, clamor, boisterousness, cacophony
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Note
Use raucous to describe noise that is loud and disruptive or disagreeable; avoid applying it to gentle or orderly sound.
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Study Deeper
Examples
- The raucous crowd at the stadium made it hard to hear the commentators.
- Her raucous laugh echoed through the hall.
Synonyms
boisterousclamorousnoisyrowdyuproarious
Antonyms
calmquietgentle
Etymology
From Latin raΕ«cus 'rough, hoarse' via Old French rauque; entered English in the 16th century to describe harsh sounds or voices.
Mnemonic
R A U C O U S = Rough And Unruly Crowds Often Unleash Ugly Sounds.
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Similar Words
Related words and words with the same part of speech.
Cacophony
nounAn unpleasant, often loud mixture of sounds; a harsh, discordant noise.
Abstruse
adjectiveDifficult to understand; obscure or highly complex.
Accidental
adjectiveHappening by chance or without deliberate planning; not intended. In music, it is also a noun for a symbol that temporarily alters a pitch.
Acerbic
adjectiveSharp or biting in tone or taste; caustic or mordant in manner.
Acquiescent
adjectiveReady to agree or approve without protest; compliant.
Adamant
adjectiveRigid in opinion or purpose; not willing to change one's mind or position.
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