riot

Universal Words noun, verb noun 1 [C] a situation in which a group of people behave in a violent way in a public place, often as a protest: One prison guard was killed when a riot broke out in the jail. * food / race riots 2 [sing.] ~ of sth (written) a collection of a lot of different types of the same thing: The garden was a riot of colour. * The market was a riot of unfamiliar sounds and smells. * A riot of emotions raged through her. 3 (a riot) [sing.] (old-fashioned, informal) a person or an event that is very amusing and enjoyable IDIOMS run riot 1 (of people) to behave in a way that is violent and/or not under control: They let their kids run riot. 2 if your imagination, a feeling, etc. runs riot, you allow it to develop and continue without trying to control it: An artist must learn to let his imagination run riot. * These prejudices have been allowed to run riot for too long. 3 (of plants) to grow and spread quickly moreatREADv. verb [V] (of a crowd of people) to behave in a violent way in a public place, often as a protest rioter noun: Rioters set fire to parked cars. rioting noun [U]: Serious rioting broke out in the capital.