Dictionary

uproar

noun up·roar \ˈəp-ˌrr\

: a situation in which many people are upset, angry, or disturbed by something

Full Definition of UPROAR

:  a state of commotion, excitement, or violent disturbance
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Origin of UPROAR

by folk etymology from Dutch oproer, from Middle Dutch, from op up (akin to Old English ūp) + roer motion; akin to Old English hrēran to stir
First Known Use: 1526
UPROAR Defined for Kids

uproar

noun up·roar \ˈəp-ˌrr\

Definition of UPROAR for Kids

:  a state of commotion, excitement, or violent disturbance <Now the dining room was in an uproar … as the men jumped to their feet in confusion. — Judith Berry Griffin, Phoebe the Spy>

Word History of UPROAR

In spite of appearances, the -roar part of the word uproar has no historical connection with the sound made by some animals. In Dutch oproer means revolt, uprising, having been compounded from op, up, and roer, motion. When the word was taken into English, its Dutch meaning was kept at first, but its spelling was altered to fit already familiar English words. English speakers assumed that the -roar in uproar did indeed refer to loud cries, and so the word went from meaning uprising to a state of commotion.

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