riot

riot — noun

1. an event where a crowd of people outdoors acts destructively — throwing objects,

1.nounB2
Definition

an event where a crowd of people outdoors acts destructively — throwing objects, setting fires, or fighting — often during a protest

Example

A riot broke out in the capital after the election results were announced on Friday.

common collocation: riot breaks out

The police used tear gas to control the riot that had spread across the central square.

Common collocations
  • riot breaks out
  • spark a riot
  • control a riot
  • put down a riot
Synonyms
  • uprising

    has a political goal of overthrowing authority, not just chaotic violence

  • disturbance

    a milder term that can describe any disruption of peace, not necessarily violent

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

a riot

riots

Usage Note

Commonly appears with verbs like 'break out', 'erupt', or 'spark'. The people involved are called 'rioters'.

Common Mistakes

The protest was a riot' (when meaning it was peaceful).
A protest can turn into a riot if people become violent.
'riot' always involves violence or destruction, not just disagreement.

2. someone or something that is extremely funny and makes people laugh a lot

2.nounC1
Definition

someone or something that is extremely funny and makes people laugh a lot

Example

You should invite Jude to the party — he is an absolute riot at every gathering.

collocation: absolute riot

That comedy film was a riot from start to finish.

Common collocations
  • absolute riot
  • total riot
  • real riot
Synonyms
  • hoot

    equally informal; describes someone or something that causes laughter

  • comedian

    refers to a professional performer, not a naturally funny person

Grammar Patterns

be a riot

Usage Note

Always informal. Used only for people or events that are genuinely funny — never for serious or intense situations.

Common Mistakes

Our boss is a riot' (when meaning strict or intense).
Our boss is a riot' (when meaning he makes everyone laugh).
This word only works for funny people, not impressive or frightening ones.

3. a large and often attractive mixture of many different colours, types, or shapes

3.nounC1
Definition

a large and often attractive mixture of many different colours, types, or shapes appearing together

Example

The garden in spring is a riot of colour with tulips and cherry blossoms everywhere.

pattern: a riot of + colour/types

The artist's studio walls were a riot of paintings in every size and style imaginable.

Common collocations
  • a riot of colour
  • a riot of sound
  • a riot of flavour
Synonyms
  • explosion

    suggests suddenness and intensity rather than a rich mixture

  • profusion

    formal; focuses on the large quantity rather than visual excitement

Grammar Patterns

a riot of something

Usage Note

Almost always followed by 'of' + a plural noun describing colour, sound, or visual elements. The tone is descriptive and often admiring.

Common Mistakes

The room was a riot of one colour.
The room was a riot of different colours and patterns.
The word implies variety and abundance, not a single type.
Idioms

read (somebody) the Riot Act

idiom

to give someone a strong, angry warning that they must stop doing something bad or face serious consequences

The manager read the team the Riot Act after they missed three important deadlines in one month.

Yan's mother read him the Riot Act when she found out he had been skipping classes all week.

run riot

idiom

to behave in an uncontrolled, wild way, or for something to develop or spread without any limits

The children ran riot in the playground while the teacher was on the phone.

The weeds in the old garden have run riot and now cover every flower bed completely.

riot — verb

Word family

  • rioter
    nounB2
  • riotous
    adjectiveC2
  • rioting
    nounB2

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All three words describe public disorder, but they differ in intensity and purpose. A 'riot' is a violent outburst by a crowd that involves destruction, fighting, or looting — it is chaotic and often begins spontaneously. An 'uprising' has a clearer political goal: people rise up against a government or authority with the aim of forcing change. Not all uprisings are violent, but many are. A 'disturbance' is the mildest term; it describes any disruption of public peace, from a loud argument to a small protest, and does not necessarily involve violence. For example: 'What started as a peaceful protest turned into a riot after midnight.' 'The king sent troops to crush the uprising.' 'Police were called to deal with a minor disturbance at the market.'

riot ↗uprisingdisturbance ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • break out into a riot
  • put down a riot
  • spark a riot

Prepositions

Etymology

Old FrenchMiddle EnglishEnglish

The word 'riot' comes from Old French 'riote', which meant a noisy argument or quarrel. When it entered Middle English, it kept this meaning of rowdy behaviour. Over the centuries, the sense grew stronger, shifting from general disorder to describing the kind of violent public disturbance we know today.