What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
ruckus
Example
The neighbors were making a ruckus late into the night. [ruckus: noun]
Example
The children caused a ruckus in the classroom, disrupting the lesson. [ruckus: noun]
tumult
Example
The city was in tumult after the announcement of the election results. [tumult: noun]
Example
The crowd erupted into tumult when the police arrived. [tumult: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Ruckus is more commonly used in everyday language, especially in informal contexts such as conversations with friends or family. Tumult, on the other hand, is less common and tends to be used in more formal or literary contexts such as news articles or novels.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between ruckus and tumult?
Tumult is generally considered more formal and literary than ruckus, which is more informal and colloquial. Therefore, tumult may be more appropriate for use in formal writing or speeches, while ruckus is better suited for casual conversations or informal writing.