riot
gb/ɹˈaɪət/ us/ɹˈaɪət/
B2
English
~ 7800
zavargás, zavarg, haláli, kész kabaré, kavalkád, színkavalkád
NOUN
B2
1
zavargás
B2
Usage pattern:
[someone] starts/puts down [a riot]
The peaceful protest turned into a riot after nightfall.
A békés tüntetés sötétedés után zavargássá fajult.
Several shops were looted during the riot in the city center.
A belvárosi zavargás során több üzletet kifosztottak.
Police used tear gas to break up the riot outside the stadium.
The government imposed a curfew to prevent further riots.
Witnesses said the riot began when someone threw a bottle at the officers.
Learner examples
A riot broke out after the football game.
A futballmeccs után zavargás tört ki.
The police tried to stop the riot.
A rendőrség megpróbálta megfékezni a zavargást.
Some people were hurt in the riot.
The news showed a big riot in the capital city.
They closed the mall because they were afraid of a riot.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "riot" for any loud party or noisy place. In its main meaning, a riot involves violence or serious disorder in public, often with police and damage, not just noise or fun.
Meaning
violent public disturbance by a crowd
Collocations
violent riot
|race riot
|prison riot
|food riot
|start a riot
|riot police
Synonyms
uprising (Suggests a more political, organized movement against authority, while a riot can be more chaotic and less organized.)
Antonyms
order (Refers to a calm, controlled situation with no violent disturbance, the opposite social condition to a riot.)
Themes
law
|politics
|conflict
Definition
A violent event where a large group of people in a public place break the law, often fighting or breaking things.
A violent disturbance of the peace by a large group of people, usually in a public place, often involving damage to property or clashes with police.
VERB
C1
2
zavarg
B2
Usage pattern:
[people] riot in/over [a place/issue]
After the verdict was announced, thousands of people rioted outside the courthouse.
Az ítélet kihirdetése után emberek ezrei zavargtak a bíróság épülete előtt.
Fans rioted when their team lost the championship match.
A szurkolók zavargtak, amikor a csapatuk elveszítette a bajnoki döntőt.
Residents threatened to riot over the sudden rise in food prices.
Prisoners rioted after guards searched their cells.
Students rioted in the capital, demanding political reforms.
Learner examples
People rioted in the streets after the election.
Az emberek az utcákon zavargtak a választás után.
The crowd began to riot when the speech ended.
A tömeg zavargani kezdett, amikor véget ért a beszéd.
Prisoners rioted because they were angry about the rules.
Fans rioted when the concert was canceled.
Workers said they would riot if they lost their jobs.
Common mistake:
Some learners confuse "riot" with "protest". A protest can be peaceful, but when people riot, the situation is violent and chaotic. Also, do not say *"make a riot"*; use "start a riot" or "cause a riot".
Meaning
to take part in a violent disturbance
Collocations
begin to riot
|riot in the streets
|riot over [prices]
|crowds rioted
|students rioted
Synonyms
revolt (Often suggests stronger political purpose or an attempt to overthrow authority, while "riot" focuses on the violent crowd action itself.)
Antonyms
obey (To follow rules and authority, contrasting with the disobedient, violent behavior involved when people riot.)
Themes
law
|politics
|conflict
Definition
To join a large, violent group of people in public who are breaking the law or fighting.
To take part in a violent public disturbance as a member of a crowd.
NOUN
C1
INFORMAL
3
haláli
B2
kész kabaré
B2
Usage pattern:
[someone/something] is a (real/absolute) riot
Your uncle is a riot; he had everyone in tears from laughing.
A nagybátyád haláli; mindenkit könnyesre nevettetett.
The show was a riot from start to finish.
Az előadás elejétől a végéig haláli volt.
She’s a real riot at parties, always telling jokes and stories.
That movie is an absolute riot if you like silly humor.
The kids were a riot on stage during the school play.
Learner examples
My brother is a riot when he tells stories.
A testvérem haláli, amikor történeteket mesél.
The comedy show was a riot.
A humoros műsor haláli volt.
Her new video is a riot to watch.
The party was a riot, and we laughed all night.
He is not very serious; he is a riot.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think this informal meaning still includes violence. In expressions like "He’s a riot" or "The party was a riot", it only means "very funny or entertaining", not dangerous or violent.
Meaning
someone or something very funny
Collocations
be a riot
|an absolute riot
|a real riot
|a laugh riot
|the party was a riot
Synonyms
hilarious ("Hilarious" is an adjective, while "a riot" is a noun; both suggest something very funny, but "a riot" is more informal and playful.)
Antonyms
boring (Describes someone or something that does not entertain, the opposite of being a "riot".)
Themes
entertainment
|emotions
|arts_entertainment
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Someone or something that makes you laugh a lot or is very fun.
A person, event, or thing that is extremely funny or very entertaining.
NOUN
C1
4
kavalkád
B2
színkavalkád
B2
Usage pattern:
a riot of [color/sound/activity]
In spring, the garden is a riot of color.
Tavasszal a kert valóságos színkavalkád.
The market was a riot of sounds and smells.
A piac a hangok és illatok kavalkádja volt.
Her dress was a riot of bright patterns and prints.
At sunset, the sky became a riot of pinks and oranges.
The festival created a riot of music and movement in the streets.
Learner examples
The park is a riot of color in autumn.
Ősszel a park valóságos színkavalkád.
The street market was a riot of sound and smell.
Az utcai piac a hangok és illatok kavalkádja volt.
Her room is a riot of colors and toys.
The trees were a riot of red and yellow leaves.
The stage was a riot of lights and music.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think this use must involve violence. In phrases like "a riot of color", "riot" is figurative and only means that there are many different colors or things, not that anything is dangerous.
Meaning
extreme abundance of colors or things
Collocations
a riot of color
|a riot of colours
|a riot of sound
|a riot of smells
|a riot of activity
Synonyms
explosion (In phrases like "an explosion of color"; similar figurative idea of sudden, intense abundance, though "riot" suggests more confusion or wildness.)
Antonyms
uniformity (A state where everything is the same, the opposite of the varied, mixed quality in a "riot of color" or similar phrase.)
Themes
nature
|art
|arts_entertainment
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A sight with many bright colors or many similar things all together so it feels full and busy.
An impressive and often overwhelming display of many different colors or similar things together.
Grammar
Dictionary form
riot
IPA
GB/ɹˈaɪət/
US/ɹˈaɪət/
Syllables & stress
ri - ot (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (ri)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: riot
- Plural: riots
Verb
- Base: riot
- 3rd Person Singular: riots
- Present Participle: rioting
- Past: rioted
Word family
Forms
riots
noun
rioting
verb
rioted
verb
Core family
rioter
noun
Related words
riotous
adjective
Advanced or less common
riotously
adverb
Expressions
a riot of color
1/ə ɹˈaɪət əv kˈʌlɚ/
fixed phrase
a view with many bright colors
A place or thing that has many bright, different colors all together.
Examples
- The garden was a riot of color in July.
- Her painting is a riot of color and movement.
food riot
1/fˈud ɹˈaɪət/
fixed phrase
riot caused by food problems
A violent protest by many people because food is too expensive or there is not enough food.
Examples
- Rising grain prices sparked food riots in several cities.
- Food riots broke out after the government cut subsidies.
prison riot
1/pɹˈɪzən ɹˈaɪət/
fixed phrase
violent disturbance inside a prison
A violent event where many prisoners fight, break things, or refuse to follow orders inside a prison.
Examples
- Three guards were injured in a prison riot last night.
- Authorities are investigating the cause of the prison riot.
race riot
1/ɹˈeɪs ɹˈaɪət/
fixed phrase
violent disturbance over racial tensions
A violent fight in public between groups of people of different races or ethnic groups.
Examples
- The city was torn apart by race riots in the 1960s.
- The report examined the causes of the recent race riot.
riot gear
1/ɹˈaɪət ɡˈɪɹ/
fixed phrase
protective equipment for riot control
Heavy clothes and equipment that police wear to protect themselves when they control riots.
Examples
- Officers in full riot gear lined the street.
- Police put on riot gear before approaching the crowd.
riot police
1/ɹˈaɪət pəlˈis/
fixed phrase
police who handle riots
Police officers whose job is to control violent crowds and riots, usually wearing special clothes and helmets.
Examples
- Riot police were deployed outside the stadium.
- The government sent in riot police to clear the square.
run riot
1/ɹˈʌn ɹˈaɪət/
idiom
to behave or grow without control
To behave in a wild, out-of-control way, or to grow or spread without any limits.
Examples
- The kids ran riot while their parents were out.
- Weeds are running riot in the garden this year.
- Rumors ran riot on social media after the announcement.