What does fracas mean?
Word: Fracas
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: Fracas means a noisy argument or quarrel, usually involving several people.
Synonyms: quarrel, commotion, uproar
Antonyms: calm, peace
Word origin: Comes from French fracas, a crash or uproar, from Italian fracasso, from fracassare, to make a din.
How do you spell fracas?
Syllables: fra - cas
Tricky part: In British English the final s is silent (frak-ah), so students often leave it off.
Watch out for: fraca, frakah
Memory tip: Like debris and chassis, this word ends in an s you never hear.
Fracas in a sentence
Example 1: A fracas broke out at the toll plaza when two drivers blocked each other.
Example 2: The referee stopped the game until the fracas between the players was over.
Example 3: The fracas in the corridor ended as soon as the head teacher appeared.
Fun Fact
In British English the plural is spelt the same, fracas, but the s is then sounded: one fracas (frak-ah), two fracas (frak-ahz).
Practise the CREST Way
Word Puzzle
Match each word with its synonym:
1. fracas 2. lethargy 3. elation a. joy b. sluggishness c. brawl
a) 1-b, 2-c, 3-a
b) 1-a, 2-c, 3-b
c) 1-c, 2-b, 3-a
d) 1-b, 2-a, 3-c
Show answer
c) 1-c, 2-b, 3-a. A fracas is a brawl; lethargy is sluggishness and elation is joy.
Back to the Roots
Choose the correct option:
___ comes from French and means a noisy quarrel among several people.
a) Frakas
b) Frackas
c) Fracas
d) Fraccas
Show answer
c) Fracas. The k sound is a single c in this French word.
Word Champ
Choose the correct word for the blank:
The ___ over the last sandwich at the party ended when our aunt brought out a fresh plate.
a) fracas
b) truce
c) lull
d) hush
Show answer
a) fracas. A truce, a lull and a hush are all calm; a noisy quarrel is a fracas.
Word Tally
How many words are misspelt in the sentence?
The fracas in the staff room began over a missing stapeler and ended with everyone laughing.
a) 0
b) 2
c) 3
d) 1
Show answer
d) 1. Stapler is the one error; fracas, staff and laughing are spelt correctly.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Which scene would a reporter call a fracas?
a) a quiet game of chess
b) a calm boat ride
c) a shouting match between rival fans
d) a silent reading lesson
Show answer
c) a shouting match between rival fans
2. A fracas is usually
a) planned weeks ahead
b) loud and confused
c) enjoyed by everyone
d) silent and still
Show answer
b) loud and confused
