noun

commotion

kuh-MOH-shun/kəˈməʊʃn/

A noisy disturbance with confused or excited activity.

Falling dishes and an overturned chair create a commotion in the cafe.

A café mishap creates a sudden commotion: a tray and metal dishes clatter onto the floor, a startled woman cries out, and an older man recoils as his chair tips backward.

Etymology

comLatintogether; perhaps thoroughly

+motLatinto move

+ionLatinaction or process

The movement root combines with com-, perhaps meaning “thoroughly” here, to express violent movement or agitation. That physical stirring also described public unrest, connecting it to today's noisy disturbance.

In context

i24NEWS English0:23

she heard a commotion outside the sound of tanks crashing into the fence

Yad Vashem and Auschwitz Memorial Mark Holocaust Remembrance Day

More examples

The noise caused a commotion.
Several commotions interrupted the meeting.
She investigated the commotion outside.

Forms

commotion · commotions

Similar words

disturbance: A disruption that need not be noisy or confused.
uproar: Emphasizes loud public noise or protest.