noun / verb

rumble

A rough fight between groups or the act of taking part in it.

The rival gangs begin a rumble behind the warehouse in the film.

Etymology

Rumble imitates a deep rolling noise. Slang transferred the name of a noisy disturbance to a rough group fight.

More examples

  • The characters rumbled in the alley.
  • Police interrupted the rumble.
  • The story ends before another rumble can start.

Forms

rumble · rumbles · rumbled · rumbling

Similar words

brawl
Brawl emphasizes a disorderly physical fight.
melee
Melee stresses confused fighting involving many participants.