disorderly

1 of 2

adverb

dis·​or·​der·​ly (ˌ)dis-ˈȯrd-ər-lē How to pronounce disorderly (audio)
(ˌ)diz-
archaic
: in a disorderly manner

disorderly

2 of 2

adjective

1
: engaged in conduct offensive to public order
charged with being drunk and disorderly
2
: characterized by disorder
a disorderly pile of clothes
disorderliness noun

Examples of disorderly in a Sentence

Adjective She was charged with being drunk and disorderly. He was found guilty of disorderly conduct.
Recent Examples on the Web
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Adjective
Would-be travelers can also be removed from a Spirit flight for acting disorderly or violent, appearing to be intoxicated or refusing to use a seat belt. Caroline Petrow-Cohen, Los Angeles Times, 24 Jan. 2025 Chief Martin should seek publicity by doing notable policing not inflaming disorderly person allegations. Jack Irvin, People.com, 2 Jan. 2025 Budden was charged with lewdness, a disorderly persons offense, on a complaint summons. Michael Saponara, Billboard, 31 Dec. 2024 Signs of a disorderly transition are already evident. London Business School, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for disorderly 

Word History

First Known Use

Adverb

1560, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1555, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of disorderly was in 1555

Dictionary Entries Near disorderly

Cite this Entry

“Disorderly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disorderly. Accessed 8 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

disorderly

adjective
dis·​or·​der·​ly
(ˈ)dis-ȯrd-ər-lē
1
: not behaving quietly or well : upsetting public order : unruly
disorderly persons
disorderly conduct
2
: not neat or orderly
a disorderly mass of papers
disorderliness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on disorderly

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