Fracas
/ˈfrækəs/
nounC1
Definition
A fracas is a loud and disorderly fight or argument, usually involving several people. It often happens suddenly and can be physical or just loud shouting. People use this word to describe scenes with noise, confusion, and some kind of conflict.
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See It in Action
A noisy fight or quarrel involving several people
- •The police arrived quickly to stop the fracas outside the bar.
- •A fracas broke out during the football game between rival fans.
- •Neighbors complained about the late-night fracas in the street.
A loud argument or disturbance causing disorder
- •The meeting ended in a fracas when people started shouting at each other.
- •The fracas in the restaurant scared the other customers.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of 'fracas' like 'fight' (A1 word), but bigger and louder with more people involved, like a noisy group fight
- ✓Picture a busy street where many people suddenly start shouting and pushing each other, making a lot of noise and confusion
- ✓It’s the feeling of tension and chaos when people argue loudly and maybe even push or hit each other
- ✓Sounds like 'FRACK-us' → imagine a loud crack or crash sound that starts a noisy argument or fight
- ✓Think of a scene in movies where a crowd breaks into a noisy fight after a disagreement at a party or sports event
- ✓NOT like 'argument' (which can be quiet and calm), a fracas is noisy and chaotic
- ✓NOT like 'brawl' (which often means a serious physical fight), a fracas can be less serious but still loud and disorderly
- ✓NOT like 'disagreement' (which is calm talking), a fracas involves noise and often physical actions
Try Other Words
- •Brawl: a noisy, often physical fight (Use when the fight is more physical and rough)
- •Argument: a disagreement often spoken, sometimes loud (Use when the conflict is mostly verbal)
- •Scuffle: a short, small fight or struggle (Use when the fight is brief and less serious)
- •Disturbance: general trouble or disorder (Use when emphasizing the noise and disorder, not just fighting)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: (no clear prefix or suffix, a single root word)
- •Etymology: From French 'fracas,' meaning a loud noise or crash
- •Historical development: The word came into English in the 1600s, originally meaning a loud noise or crash, later used for noisy fights or disturbances
- •Modern usage: Used mainly to describe noisy, disorderly fights or arguments involving groups of people, often in informal or news language
Reflect & Connect
•Can a fracas happen without physical fighting? When might that be?
•How do people usually feel during or after a fracas? Can it ever have positive effects?
Fill in the blanks
1.The fracas started because someone said something ___ that made others angry quickly.
2.During the fracas, the noise was so loud that people could hardly ___ what was being said.
3.Unlike a calm argument, a fracas often includes ___ actions like shouting or pushing.
4.The police came to stop the fracas before it could ___ into something more serious.
5.After the fracas, the manager asked everyone to ___ and explain what happened.
6.A small disagreement can turn into a fracas if more people ___ involved.
7.People often describe a fracas as ___ and disorderly, not quiet or peaceful.