RIGMAROLE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does rigmarole mean? 

• RIGMAROLE (noun)
  The noun RIGMAROLE has 2 senses:

1. a set of confused and meaningless statements

2. a long and complicated and confusing procedure

  Familiarity information: RIGMAROLE used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• RIGMAROLE (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A set of confused and meaningless statements

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Synonyms:

rigamarole; rigmarole

Hypernyms ("rigmarole" is a kind of...):

bunk; hokum; meaninglessness; nonsense; nonsensicality (a message that seems to convey no meaning)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A long and complicated and confusing procedure

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

rigamarole; rigmarole

Context example:

all that academic rigmarole was a waste of time

Hypernyms ("rigmarole" is a kind of...):

procedure; process (a particular course of action intended to achieve a result)

 Context examples 

But what could he have to do with this old family custom of ours, and what does this rigmarole mean?

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

"Oh, gracious! What shall I say?" cried Sallie, as Fred ended his rigmarole, in which he had jumbled together pell-mell nautical phrases and facts out of one of his favorite books.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)