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Roughhouse - Meaning, Definition & English Examples

Roughhouse means to engage in rowdy, physical play or fighting, often in a noisy or boisterous manner. It is typically used to describe children or animals playing roughly but without serious intent.

roughhouse

/ˈrʌfˌhaʊs/ /ˈrʌfhaʊs/

Definition:

Engage in rowdy, boisterous play or fighting, often rough but not seriously harmful.

Synonyms:

horseplay, romp, scuffle, wrestle

Part of Speech:

verb, noun

Antonyms:

calmness, gentleness

Common Collocations:

roughhouse play, roughhouse behavior, roughhouse games

Derivatives:

roughhouser, roughhousing

Usage Tips:

Use "roughhouse" to describe noisy physical play; avoid implying serious aggression or harm.

Common Phrases:

roughhouse around, let's roughhouse, stop roughhousing

Etymology:

Originated in late 19th-century America from "rough" + "house," implying unruly behavior indoors.

Examples:

  • 1. The kids love to roughhouse in the backyard after school.
  • 2. Stop roughhousing before someone gets hurt!
  • 3. Their roughhouse games often end in laughter and minor bruises.
  • 4. Dad warned them not to roughhouse near the fragile furniture.

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