Cambridge Dictionaries online Cambridge Dictionaries online

The most popular online dictionary and thesaurus for learners of English

  

hooligan

noun [C]
 
 
/ˈhuː.lɪ.ɡən/

Definition

a violent person who fights or causes damage in public places: Hooligans had sprayed paint all over the car.Gangsters, thugs and criminal organizations hooliganism
 
 
/-ɪ.zəm/ noun [U]
football/soccer hooliganismCrimes against property
(Definition of hooligan noun from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

“hooligan” in other dictionaries

Word of the Day

hold water

If a reason, argument or explanation holds water, it is true

Word of the Day

Blog

Read our blog about how the English language behaves.

Learn More

New Words

Find words and meanings that have just started to be used in English, and let us know what you think of them.

Learn More