NYT Dictionary
HOOLIGAN
/ˈhuː.lɪ.ɡən/NounVerbHOO-li-ganhoo-li-gan · 3 syllablesGrade 7
Accepted in official NYT Spelling Bee puzzle years: 2025
Meaning
A young person who causes trouble or violence, typically as a member of a gang or other group.
Etymology
Origin: Celtic languages
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₂ewh₂yos Proto-Celtic *awyos Primitive Irish ᚐᚃᚔ (avi) Old Irish aue Irish uader. Irish óder. Irish Ó Irish uallachder. Irish Uallachán Irish Ó hUallacháinder. English Houlihander. English hooligan Probably a variant of the Irish surname Houlihan, 1890s.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
NYT Puzzle Appearances
Accepted in 1 recorded puzzle, including a pangram: