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View synonyms for

rigmarole

Also ···DZ

[rig-muh-rohl]

noun

  1. an elaborate or complicated procedure.

    to go through the rigmarole of a formal dinner.

  2. confused, incoherent, foolish, or meaningless talk.



rigmarole

/ ˈɪɡəˌəʊ /

noun

  1. any long complicated procedure

  2. a set of incoherent or pointless statements; garbled nonsense

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Word History and Origins

Origin of rigmarole1

First recorded in 1730–40; alteration of ragman roll
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Word History and Origins

Origin of rigmarole1

C18: from earlier ragman roll a list, probably a roll used in a medieval game, wherein various characters were described in verse, beginning with Ragemon le bon Ragman the good
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Even with Trump's stated 90 day pause on implementing higher tariffs, there remains too much uncertainty for companies to go through the rigmarole of rerouting global trade.

From

Even though she wants to stay informed, Fox said, she has taken a step back from keeping up with the daily rigmarole of politics.

From

She said she has trouble with computers and requested a paper test, but that led to a whole additional rigmarole.

From

"I was a journalist for 20 years and I can spot marketing rigmarole and a contrived script. You have to be your crude, authentic self to attract your audience."

From

“Matterhorn” fused those elements by incorporating the internal lives of the characters into the daily rigmarole of military life.

From

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When To Use

is a rigmarole?

A rigmarole is an elaborate or complicated procedure, as in Registering and insuring a car involves a lot of rigmarole.A rigmarole is any process or procedure that is overly complicated to the point that it may seem pointless or annoying to those who have to complete it. People will often refer to long, drawn-out explanations or formal introductions as rigmaroles. They will also frequently describe repetitive procedures, such as checking in, waiting in line for, or signing up for something, as rigmaroles.A rigmarole can also be confused, incoherent, foolish, or meaningless talk, as in The speaker just gave us a lot of rigmarole instead of any insight into the problem. This meaning is almost always used as an insult relating to speeches one disagrees with or an explanation that may have been too complex for them to understand. It is also sometimes used in reference to someone who speaks extremely fast or who uses obtuse or foreign vocabulary when speaking.Rigmarole can also be spelled rigamarole, which is pronounced rig-uh-ma-rohl.Example: Before I give the whole rigmarole, I would like to introduce my co-hosts.

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