Definition

Full of energy and noisy excitement, often in a way that is difficult to control.

Example

The rambunctious children ran around the playground, laughing and shouting.

Conversation

Did you see those kids at the park?

Yeah, they were so rambunctious it was hard to keep up!

I know, right? Their energy was everywhere!

Totally! It’s fun to watch, but also a bit chaotic.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Rambunctious → The word originates from a combination of the dialectal term 'rambunctious' (possibly derived from 'rambunctious' in the 19th century American English, meaning boisterous or unruly) and the suffix '-ous' (meaning full of). It describes a state of being full of wildness or disorder.

Memory Tip

Think of someone being 'full of' ('-ous') wild energy, which is what 'rambunctious' means.

Visually Confused Words