rhizoverbBeta
DictionarybrawlNoisy fight
noun / verb

brawl

BRAWL/brɔːl/

A rough, noisy physical fight.

The four adults brawl amid shouting and overturned furniture.

Four adults in a chaotic, non-graphic group fight, grabbing clothing, shoving and swinging fists, with open shouting mouths and an overturned chair.
Etymology
brawlMiddle Englishto cry out, scold, quarrel

Middle English braulen meant “cry out, scold, quarrel.” The noun first named a noisy disturbance and later a fist-fight, so the modern sense retains both commotion and physical conflict.

In context

Lionel Rivera26:07
causing both fighters teams to engage in an allout brawl.
UFC's Misunderstood Gangster: Nick Diaz Documentary

More examples

  • A brawl broke out near the exit.
  • They brawled in the street.
  • The rivals are brawling again.

Forms

brawl · brawls · brawled · brawling

Similar words

fight
Need not be noisy, rough, or involve several people.
scuffle
Usually a shorter, less serious physical struggle.