different between unruly vs uncontrollable

English

Etymology

From Middle English unruly (“unquiet, restless”), equivalent to un- +? rule +? -ly (compare Middle English ruly, reuli (“subject to a religious rule, regular”)), but also representing a modified continuation of earlier Middle English unrouly, unroly (“unquiet, restless”), equivalent to un- +? roolie. The latter is perhaps from or influenced by Old Norse *úróligr, related to Danish urolig (“restless”), Swedish orolig (“restless”), Icelandic órólegur (“agitated”). Compare also Middle English unroo, unro (“unrest”). More at roo.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?n??u?li/
• Rhymes: -u?li

Adjective

unruly (comparative unrulier, superlative unruliest)

1. Wild; uncontrolled.
   • 2011 Allen Gregory, "Pilot" (season 1, episode 1):

     Richard DeLongpre: Are you okay, my boy angel?

     Allen Gregory DeLongpre: I have a broken heart. And undergarments filled with my own unruly waste.

Translations

English

Etymology

un- +? controllable

Pronunciation

Adjective

uncontrollable (comparative more uncontrollable, superlative most uncontrollable)

1. Not able to be controlled, contained or governed.

   She got the uncontrollable urge for some chocolate.

Derived terms

• uncontrollability
• uncontrollableness
• uncontrollably

Related terms

• control
• controllable

Translations

References

• uncontrollable in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.
• uncontrollable in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.