Skip to main content
rip-roaring

rip-roaring

1 7.3
Very noisy and full of lively activity
  • adjective
  • /ˈrɪpˌrɔrɪŋ/
  • Informal
translation icon : estruendoso
  • Rmoney is off to a rip-roaring start with the Israelis...
  • a rip-roaring success

Examples

  • We had a rip-roaring adventure at the amusement park, trying every roller coaster twice.

  • - Just a rip-roaring old two guns western town, huh?

  • It was a rip-roaring town too.

  • Ralph and Alice Kramden had just had a rip-roaring fight, and now the episode was ending and they were making up.

    Fiction book (1999)
  • I know that you'll join us in giving a really rousing, rip-roaring reception... ...to Harry Van and Les Blondes.

  • The Wired Bunch from Nine 22media is a rip-roaring western e-book series infused with interactive technology.

    Academic text (2015)
  • The party was a rip-roaring success, with everyone dancing and having a great time.

  • The comedian delivered a rip-roaring set that had the entire audience laughing uncontrollably.

Synonyms

explosive
vsrip-roaring
60 4.4

A sudden very loud sound or action that startles people

is noisy and lively over time, not only sudden startling bursts
raucous
vsrip-roaring
31 7.1

Making a loud, rough, and unpleasant sound that hurts your ears

is loud and exciting but usually without unpleasant harshness
thunderous
vsrip-roaring
15 4.1

A very loud, deep sound like thunder

is about excited lively noise rather than heavy thunderlike power
bustling
vsrip-roaring
9 4.1

Full of busy, noisy activity and many people

is more about loud excitement rather than just busy activity
booming
vsrip-roaring
3 3.4

A deep loud voice or sound that echoes

is energetic and noisy in a lively way rather than deep resonance
blaring
vsrip-roaring
1 4.4

A very loud, unpleasant sound that hurts your ears

is lively or exciting noise rather than persistently harsh loudness
uproarious
vsrip-roaring
1 6.5

Very noisy and full of loud joyful sounds like cheering

is noisy and lively but not always joyful or laughter filled
raging
vsrip-roaring
1 3.9

Very strong and intense, often violent and out of control

adds noisy lively excitement rather than raw intensity or severity
boisterous
vsrip-roaring
1 6.4

Very rough and stormy, with strong wind and big waves

is noisy lively and exciting rather than merely turbulent motion
ripsnorting
vsrip-roaring
  • UK
8.6

Very exciting and full of loud, strong action

is more about loud noisy liveliness than sheer forceful excitement
roisterous
vsrip-roaring
  • Archaic
8.7

Loud and lively in a wild way

is similar but can be more intense or exciting beyond cheerfulness
rackety
vsrip-roaring
7.4

Very loud and rough, like an old bus or a noisy crowd

is lively and exciting, not just uncontrolled noisy disturbance
thundering
vsrip-roaring
5.3

Something that is very powerful and makes people notice

focuses on loud lively excitement rather than general intensity

Antonyms

1.0

Not making much noise

721 1.0

Not interesting and making you feel tired or impatient

182 1.3

Not interesting or lively

How Lively

rip-roaring
  • Informal
1 7.3
wild
2 2.8
rowdy
34 3.6
boisterous
18 4.7
lively
111 1.3

Surface Forms

rip-roaring positive

Morphology

rip-roaring = rip + roar (semi-transparent) = rip + roar + ing

The compound is built from 'rip' + 'roar(ing)' and conveys loud, vigorous quality, but 'rip' functions as an intensifier and the phrase is idiomatic rather than a fully compositional description.

Etymology

Rip-roaring comes from the parts rip and roaring, where rip suggests a big, forceful action and roaring means 'making a loud noise'. So a rip-roaring party or show is very loud, lively, and exciting.