Dictionary

riotously en · ADV

Pronunciation

• /ˈɹaɪ.ət.əs.li/ (UK)

Etymology

Etymology tree English riotous Middle English -ly English -ly English riotously From riotous + -ly.

Meanings

1. In a riotous manner.
   • The overpowering sense of somebody beyond reach who lived in a world riotously happening only in his own mind. 1966, James Workman, The Mad Emperor, Melbourne, Sydney: Scripts, page 138:
   • But inside the aquarium, riotously colored saltwater fish, schools of silvery piranhas, and even one seemingly communicative manta ray allow visitors to dream of worlds beyond a war that has made the land where the oceanic sanctuary sits a battle zone. 2025 December 22, Howard LaFranchi, “Near Ukraine’s front line, aquarium offers refuge for kids and soldiers alike”, in The Christian Science Monitor:
2. In a degenerate or dissolute manner.
   • Greatly mystified, the curate turned to examine another picture, the cryptic title of which was, "The superintendent and the soubrette - our reporter puts a pornographic parson's pot on." In this the superintendent, distinguished by a clerical coat and a Methodistical brand of whisker, was delineated in the act of riotously drinking from a bottle labelled "champagne," having evidently accommodated the soubrette - a lady in extremely abbreviated skirts - with his only glass. 1913, Norman Lindsay, A Curate in Bohemia, Sydney: N.S.W. Bookstall Co., published 1932, page 129:
3. In a manner that causes or involves uncontrollable laughter.

Forms