Words / C2

BOYST-uh-r-uh-s/ˈbɔɪstərəs/

Boisterous means noisy, energetic, and roughly high-spirited: a boisterous crowd, boisterous laughter. Noisy (already in the dictionary) is everyday; obstreperous (already in the dictionary) is noisily unruly and hard to control. Vociferous (already in the dictionary) is loud in protest. Do not let a walkout replace a dated finding.

Meaning

Noisy, energetic, and high-spirited, often roughly so.

Examples

• “A boisterous walkout does not replace a dated finding.”
• “Noisy is everyday (already in A2). Obstreperous is unruly (already in C2). Vociferous is loud in opinion (already in C2). High spirits after a sitting can be harmless. High spirits instead of a numbered minute are a hole. Write the date; then the noise.”

Good to know

Roughly noisy and high-spirited. Everyday: noisy (already in this dictionary). Close: obstreperous (already in C2). Contrast: vociferous (loud in protest — already in C2). A walkout is not a minute.

Near in meaning

rowdy, unruly, uproarious, rambunctious

New