Disorderly Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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disorderly

[dɪsˈɔːdərli ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

behavior

Lacking organization or order; messy, chaotic, or unruly.

Synonyms

chaotic, disorganized, messy, untidy.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
disorderly	Use when describing a situation or behavior that lacks order and involves confusion. It often has a legal or formal nuance. The crowd became disorderly during the protest
chaotic	Appropriate for situations where there is complete confusion and lack of order, often on a large scale. After the storm, the city streets were chaotic
untidy	Similar to 'messy', but often refers more to lack of neatness or order rather than dirtiness. His untidy desk had papers strewn all over it
disorganized	Best for describing something or someone that lacks structure or planning. His disorganized notes made it hard to study for the exam
messy	Used for describing physical spaces or situations that are dirty or cluttered. Her room was so messy that you couldn't see the floor

Examples of usage

The party ended in a disorderly mess with broken glasses everywhere.
The students' desks were always disorderly, with papers scattered all over the place.

^{Context #2 | Adverb}

manner

In a messy or chaotic manner, lacking order or structure.

Synonyms

chaotically, haphazardly, messily.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
disorderly	Used in situations where there is a lack of organization or control, often implying unacceptable or disruptive behavior. The protest turned disorderly as people began to shout and push. His room was so disorderly that you could barely see the floor.
chaotically	Describes actions or situations that are extremely disorganized and confusing, without any apparent order. The books were chaotically scattered across the room after the earthquake. She packed her suitcase chaotically, just throwing everything inside.
haphazardly	Refers to doing something in a random or careless way, without any system or planning. The documents were haphazardly piled on the desk. He haphazardly painted the wall, resulting in a rather uneven finish.
messily	Describes something done in a sloppy or untidy manner, often resulting in a lot of disorder. She ate the spaghetti messily, with sauce everywhere. The kids played with their toys messily, leaving them all over the room.

Examples of usage

The papers were scattered disorderly across the floor.
She packed her suitcase disorderly, throwing clothes in without folding them.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Law

In legal terms, 'disorderly conduct' can refer to actions that disturb the peace or show disrespect in public spaces.
Many cities have laws against disorderly behaviors, aiming to maintain public order and safety.

Psychology

Research suggests that a disorderly environment can impact mental health, potentially increasing stress levels.
Some psychologists argue that a cluttered space can negatively affect one's ability to focus and think clearly.

Pop Culture

Disorderly settings often appear in movies and shows to symbolize chaos or a character's lack of control over their life.
Songs and novels sometimes portray disorderly lives to evoke emotions of freedom or rebellion against societal norms.

Education

Classrooms that are disorderly are often linked to lower academic performance and higher levels of distraction among students.
Educational strategies often emphasize the importance of organization skills to create more productive learning spaces.

Origin of 'disorderly'

Main points about word origin

The word comes from 'dis-' meaning 'not' and 'order,' which means a neat arrangement.
It entered the English language in the late Middle Ages, originally referring to a lack of system or arrangement.

The word 'disorderly' originated from the Middle English 'disordrely', which in turn came from the Old French 'desordreli'. The prefix 'dis-' denotes negation or reversal, while 'orderly' refers to being well arranged or organized. The concept of disorderly behavior has been present throughout history, with various cultures and societies having different views on what constitutes disorder.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #13,168, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.

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13165 fleshy
13166 organizer
13167 rearrangement
13168 disorderly
13169 tracer
13170 underlined
13171 pizza
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