- Today's Word
Raucous
[RAW-kus]
Definition
- (adjective) Something unpleasantly loud, boisterous, and disorderly. It often refers to harsh, rowdy noises or behavior that’s aggressively loud and potentially disruptive.
Example
The raucous party next door, with its shouting and loud music, kept the entire neighborhood awake until the police finally arrived.
Fun Fact
“Raucous” comes from the Latin word “raucus,” meaning “hoarse” or “harsh.” This Latin term is believed to be related to ancient Indo-European words imitating the sound of roaring or bellowing. In ancient Roman theater, actors would sometimes deliberately make their voices raucous to portray certain character types, especially in comedies. The word entered English in the 1769s and initially described vocal sounds, particularly harsh or rough voices. Over time, its meaning expanded to include any loud, disorderly noise or behavior. Interestingly, the medical term “raucity,” meaning hoarseness of voice, shares the same Latin root. In modern usage, while “raucous” often has negative connotations, it can sometimes be used positively to describe enthusiastic celebration or excitement, showing how words can evolve to carry both positive and negative contexts depending on the situation.