Rigmarole

Definitions

1. A long and complicated formal procedure.
   countable, uncountable
2. Confused and incoherent talk; nonsense.
   countable, dated, uncountable

Equivalents

7 more languages

العربيةالحكاية المهمرجة

Češtinaperipetie

Suomiruljanssi

Italianosproloquiotiriteratrafila

Nederlandsgezwets

Polskiceregieledyrdymała

Русскийбрехнявздорволокитаканитель+ 1 more

Examples

“Have⟳ you seen all the rigmarole you have⟳ to go through at airport security these days?”

“Often one's dear friend talks something which one scruples to call⟳ rigmarole.”

“While you are planting the seed, he cries -- "Drop it, drop it -- cover⟳ it up, cover⟳ it up -- pull⟳ it up, pull⟳ it up, pull⟳ it up." But this was not corn, and so it was safe from such enemies as he. You may wonder⟳ what his rigmarole, his amateur Paganini performances on one string or on twenty, have⟳ to do with your planting, and yet prefer⟳ it to leached ashes or plaster.”

“His reply⟳ did not even allude to the subject, but was a rigmarole about the weather; as if he had been writing to an idiot, who did not require⟳ a rational answer⟳ to any question⟳ they had asked.”

“"Stuff and nonsense, and lying rigmaroles!" he growled, as I vanished through the door[.]”

“In comes Mitaiele to Lloyd, and told some rigmarole about Paatalise (the steward's name⟳) wanting to go and see⟳ his family in the bush.”

“"Quite so," said Adèle comfortably. "Now let⟳ us be sensible and dine. We can amuse ourselves with mademoiselle's rigmaroles afterwards."”

“He seemed to brace himself for a great effort, and then started on the queerest rigmarole.”

CEFR level