brawl

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "brawl" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to an instance of noisy, rough, and violent fighting between several people, typically in a public place. For example: "The police were called to break up the brawl in the street."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Palfreeman was sentenced for stabbing to death 20-year-old Bulgarian student Andrey Monov, and for wounding another man, during a drunken street brawl in the capital, Sofia.

The Guardian

Uefa has defended its policy on keeping some countries with political tensions apart in its qualifying groups and not others following the brawl that caused the Euro 2016 qualifier between Serbia and Albania to be abandoned.

The Guardian - Sport

Although Arabtec said the brawl between Pakistani and Bangladeshi workers was an ethnic dispute, human rights activists said the deportations and hiring violated the right to strike.

The Guardian

Things were not too friendly on the pitch either as the packs found themselves embroiled in a brawl on the half-hour.

The Guardian - Sport

Describing a New Year's Eve bar brawl in which several people were seriously injured and some of the attackers were reportedly Roma, Zsolt Bayer said "a significant part of the Roma are unfit for co-existence.

The Guardian

In 1995 he was given 150 hours for his part in a nightclub brawl in which a student died.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

Anchorage authorities announced on Thursday that they do not plan to press charges over a drunken street-brawl involving the family of former Alaska governor Sarah Palin.

The Guardian

The government quickly gave in, keen to avoid a public-relations disaster similar to last year's, when a high-altitude-brawl erupted between Sherpas and Western climbers.

The Economist

They look longingly at southern Europe where, they say, liberal licensing laws are part of the reason for the cultured and brawl-free nightlife.

The Economist

Cue a flood of headlines claiming: "Brain chemical lack spurs rioting, say scientists" and "Nose spray to stop drunks and brawls".

The Guardian

If they weren't brawling in low-rent theme pubs, they were being thrashed by the English in increasingly new and interesting ways.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a "brawl", provide specific details about the location, number of participants, and any resulting injuries to enhance the reader's understanding of the event.

Common error

Avoid using "brawl" to describe a simple disagreement or argument. A "brawl" implies a physical fight involving multiple people. Use words like "dispute" or "argument" for non-violent disagreements.

Linguistic Context

The term "brawl" functions primarily as a noun, denoting a tumultuous fight involving several people. Ludwig's examples show it used to describe various scenarios, from street fights to political conflicts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "brawl" is a commonly used noun that describes a noisy and chaotic fight involving multiple people. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news and media contexts to report on conflicts ranging from street incidents to political disputes. While alternatives like "melee" and "fracas" exist, "brawl" provides a straightforward and accessible way to depict such scenarios. When using the term, ensure the context reflects a physical confrontation involving multiple individuals, rather than a simple argument or disagreement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

melee

Refers to a confused hand-to-hand fight or struggle among several people.

fracas

Highlights a noisy, disorderly disturbance or fight.

scuffle

Emphasizes a brief, disorganized fight.

altercation

Implies a heated argument or dispute, possibly escalating to physical violence.

disturbance

Focuses on the disruption and disorder caused by the fight.

ruckus

Stresses the noise and commotion of a disruptive event.

tumult

Indicates a state of confusion or disorder, often involving a large crowd.

commotion

Highlights a noisy and confused disturbance.

clash

Describes a brief confrontation or disagreement.

skirmish

Refers to a minor fight or encounter, often part of a larger conflict.

FAQs

How to use "brawl" in a sentence?

You can use "brawl" to describe a noisy and chaotic fight involving several people. For example, "The police were called to break up the bar brawl."

What can I say instead of "brawl"?

You can use alternatives like "melee", "fracas", or "scuffle" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "brawl" or "fight"?

"Brawl" and "fight" are both correct, but "brawl" typically implies a more chaotic and disorderly fight involving multiple individuals, whereas "fight" can refer to a one-on-one altercation or a larger conflict.

What's the difference between "brawl" and "altercation"?

"Brawl" specifically refers to a physical fight, often involving many people and a lot of noise. "Altercation" is a broader term that can describe a heated argument that may or may not involve physical violence.