Word forms: plural racketslanguage note: The spelling racquet is also used for meanings [sense 3] and , [sense 4].language note: The spelling racquet is also used for meaning [sense 3].
1. singular noun
A racket is a loud unpleasant noise.
He makes such a racket I'm afraid he disturbs the neighbours.
My dream was interrupted by the most awful racket coming through the walls.
The racket of drills and electric saws went on past midnight.
Synonyms: noise, row, shouting, fuss More Synonyms of racket
2. countable noun [oft noun NOUN]
You can refer to an illegal activity used to make money as a racket.
[informal]
A smuggling racket is killing thousands of exotic birds each year.
Suspicious fans exposed the racket and police arrested a man last night.
3. countable noun [oft noun NOUN]
A racket is an oval-shaped bat with strings across it. Rackets are used in tennis, squash, and badminton.
Tennis rackets and balls are provided.
4. uncountable noun
Rackets is a game which is similar to squash but which is played with a hard ball.
More Synonyms of racket
racket in British English1
(ˈrækɪt)
noun
1.
a noisy disturbance or loud commotion; clamour; din
2.
gay or excited revelry, dissipation, etc
3.
an illegal enterprise carried on for profit, such as extortion, fraud, prostitution, drug peddling, etc
4. slang
a business or occupation
what's your racket?
5. music
a.
a medieval woodwind instrument of deep bass pitch
b.
a reed stop on an organ of deep bass pitch
verb
6. (intransitive; often foll byabout) rare
to go about gaily or noisily, in search of pleasure, excitement, etc
Word origin
C16: probably of imitative origin; compare rattle1
racket in British English2
or racquet (ˈrækɪt)
noun
1.
a bat consisting of an open network of nylon or other strings stretched in an oval frame with a handle, used to strike the ball in tennis, badminton, etc
2.
a snowshoe shaped like a tennis racket
verb
3. (transitive)
to strike (a ball, shuttlecock, etc) with a racket
Word origin
C16: from French raquette, from Arabic rāhat palm of the hand
racket in American English1
(ˈrækɪt)
noun
1.
a noisy confusion; loud and confused talk or activity; uproar
2. Archaic
a period of lively, exciting social life or revelry
3. US
a.
an obtaining of money illegally, as by bootlegging, fraud, or, esp., threats of violence
b. Informal
any dishonest scheme or practice
4. US, Slang
a.
an easy, profitable source of livelihood
b.
any business, profession, or occupation
verb intransitive
5.
to make a racket; take part in a noisy activity
6. Rare
to lead a boisterous social life; revel
7.
to ramble or travel in a casual, reckless way, as in search of excitement
often with around
SIMILAR WORDS: noise
Word origin
prob. echoic
racket in American English2
(ˈrækɪt)
noun
1.
a light bat for tennis, badminton, etc., with a network of catgut, silk, nylon, etc., in an oval or round frame attached to a handle
2.
a snowshoe
3. Loosely
the paddle used in table tennis
4. [pl., with sing. v.]
the game of racquets
Word origin
MFr raquette, earlier rachette, palm of the hand < ML rasceta (manus), palm (of the hand) < Ar rāḥa(t), palm of the hand
Examples of 'racket' in a sentence
racket
All these car renters are running a racket against the driver.
The Sun (2016)
The racket had been going on for at least three years before that but employees didn't have to keep the receipts that long.
The Sun (2016)
We get on so well otherwise, it's a shame this awful racket is pushing us apart.
The Sun (2016)
Then like squash and table tennis, more of the racket sports, was pretty close between us really.
The Sun (2016)
What sort of protection racket is this?
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Learning the game with wooden rackets taught you guile and improvisation.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The shot off the frame of the racket.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Or stood atop a car playing guitar on a tennis racket?
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
This racket was going in my headphones and it was all done there.
The Sun (2015)
She now has to wear gloves and carries a badminton racket for protection.
The Sun (2013)
And who would show the new players how to hold and swing the racket?
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
This muscle is particularly used in swimming and backhand in racket sports.
Andrews, Elizabeth Muscle Management (1991)
Today most fast cars make a racket.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The price paid for this protection racket is shocking.
The Sun (2012)
It was that wooden racket that troubled me.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Increased stiffness means less energy lost to the racket frame and so more power.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
One appeared to be holding a tennis racket.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
She found the real thing boring because she was too small or struggled with cumbersome bats and rackets.
The Sun (2009)
Cons use devices to run rackets and stalk victims by text or on social media from their cells.
The Sun (2014)
His dad was variously a bartender, a janitor and ran an illegal numbers racket.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Time to dust off your tennis racket, cricket bat or jogging shoes.
The Sun (2013)
Their live shows are ghoulish tributes to garage rock from the Sixties and can just sound like an awful racket.
The Sun (2007)
Word lists with
racket
instrument
In other languages
racket
British English: racket /ˈrækɪt/ NOUN
noise A racket is a loud unpleasant noise.
He makes such a racket.
American English: racket noise
Arabic: مَضْرَب
Brazilian Portuguese: barulheira
Chinese: 吵闹
Croatian: vika
Czech: kravál
Danish: larm
Dutch: lawaai sport
European Spanish: jaleo
Finnish: meteli
French: vacarme
German: Krach
Greek: ρακέτα
Italian: baccano
Japanese: 騒ぎ
Korean: 소동
Norwegian: rabalder
Polish: łomot
European Portuguese: barulheira
Romanian: zarvă
Russian: гудение
Latin American Spanish: raqueta
Swedish: racket
Thai: เสียงหนวกหู
Turkish: curcuna
Ukrainian: галас
Vietnamese: sự huyên náo
British English: racket /ˈrækɪt/ NOUN
for tennis, squash, or badminton A racket is an oval-shaped bat with strings across it. Rackets are used in tennis, squash, and badminton.
American English: racket sports
Arabic: مَضْرَب
Brazilian Portuguese: raquete
Chinese: 球拍
Croatian: reket
Czech: raketa tenis
Danish: ketsjer
Dutch: racket sport
European Spanish: raqueta
Finnish: maila tennis-ym.
French: raquette
German: Schläger Tennis
Greek: ρακέτα
Italian: racchetta
Japanese: ラケット
Korean: 라켓
Norwegian: racket
Polish: rakieta
European Portuguese: raquete
Romanian: rachetăîn sport
Russian: ракетка
Latin American Spanish: raqueta
Swedish: racket
Thai: แร็คเก็ต
Turkish: raket
Ukrainian: ракетка
Vietnamese: vợt
All related terms of 'racket'
racket-tail
any of several birds with a racket-shaped tail, such as certain hummingbirds and kingfishers
racket press
a device consisting of a frame closed by a spring mechanism , for keeping taut the strings of a tennis racket , squash racket, etc
racket sports
sports , such as tennis , squash , badminton , etc, that are played using a racket
squash racket
a light long-handled racket used in the game of squash
tennis racket
a bat with a long handle attached to a round frame with a network of tight strings over it; used to hit the ball in tennis
badminton racket
the type of racket used in games of badminton
protection racket
a criminal activity in which money gangsters extort money from victims in exchange for freedom from molestation
the numbers game/racket
If you refer to the numbers game , the numbers racket , or the numbers , you are referring to an illegal lottery or illegal betting .
numbers game
If you say that someone is playing the numbers game , you think that they are concentrating on the aspects of something which can be expressed in statistics , usually in order to mislead people.
the numbers
an illegal lottery in which small bets are placed on the order of certain numbers, usually the last three, in some tabulation of game scores or financial reports published in the daily newspapers
Chinese translation of 'racket'
racket
(ˈrækɪt)
n
(c) (for tennis, squash etc) 球拍 (qiúpāi) (副, fù)
(s) (= noise) (inf) 吵闹(鬧) (chǎonào)
(c) (= swindle) (inf) 非法勾当(當) (fēifǎ gòudàng)
1 (noun)
Definition
a noisy disturbance
The racket went on past midnight.
Synonyms
noise
There was too much noise in the room and he needed peace.
row
‘Whatever is that row?’ she demanded.
shouting
fuss
disturbance
During the disturbance, three men were hurt.
outcry
She was later reinstated in her job after a public outcry.
clamour
Kathryn's quiet voice stilled the clamour.
din
They tried to make themselves heard over the din of the crowd.
uproar
The announcement caused uproar in the crowd.
commotion
He heard a terrible commotion outside.
pandemonium
There was pandemonium in the court as the verdict was delivered.
rumpus
He had left before the rumpus started.
babel
tumult
Round one ended to a tumult of whistles, screams and shouts.
hubbub
a hubbub of excited conversation from over a thousand people
hullabaloo
I was scared by the hullabaloo over my arrival.
ballyhoo (informal)
The announcement was made amongst much ballyhoo.
2 (noun)
Definition
an illegal activity done to make money
a racket selling counterfeit phones
Synonyms
fraud
scheme
criminal activity
fraudulent scheme
illegal enterprise
3 (noun)
Definition
a business or occupation
(slang)
Synonyms
business
May I ask what business you are in?
game (informal)
She's new to this game, so go easy on her.
line
What was your father's line of business?
occupation
I was looking for an occupation which would allow me to travel.
Additional synonyms
in the sense of babel
Definition
a scene of noise and confusion
Synonyms
din,
disorder,
confusion,
turmoil,
clamour,
uproar,
pandemonium,
bedlam,
tumult,
hubbub,
hurly-burly,
hullabaloo
in the sense of ballyhoo
Definition
unnecessary or exaggerated fuss
The announcement was made amongst much ballyhoo.
Synonyms
fuss,
to-do,
performance (informal),
noise,
stir,
excitement,
flap (informal),
racket,
bustle,
furore,
babble,
commotion,
rumpus,
tumult,
hubbub,
brouhaha,
hullabaloo,
hue and cry,
hoo-ha
in the sense of clamour
Definition
a loud and persistent noise or outcry
Kathryn's quiet voice stilled the clamour.
Synonyms
noise,
shouting,
racket,
outcry,
din,
uproar,
agitation,
blare,
commotion,
babel,
hubbub,
brouhaha,
hullabaloo,
vociferation,
shout
Nearby words of
racket
rack
rack something up
rack your brains
racket
racketeering
rackety
raconteur
Synonyms of 'racket'
racket
Explore 'racket' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of commotion
Definition
noisy disturbance
He heard a terrible commotion outside.
Synonyms
disturbance,
to-do,
riot,
disorder,
excitement,
fuss,
turmoil,
racket,
upheaval,
bustle,
furore,
outcry,
uproar,
ferment,
agitation,
ado,
rumpus,
tumult,
hubbub,
hurly-burly,
brouhaha,
hullabaloo,
ballyhoo (informal),
hue and cry,
perturbation
in the sense of din
Definition
a loud unpleasant confused noise
They tried to make themselves heard over the din of the crowd.
Synonyms
noise,
row,
racket,
crash,
clash,
shout,
outcry,
clamour,
clatter,
uproar,
commotion,
pandemonium,
babel,
hubbub,
hullabaloo,
clangour
in the sense of disturbance
Definition
an unruly outburst in public
During the disturbance, three men were hurt.
Synonyms
disorder,
bother (informal),
turmoil,
riot,
upheaval,
fray,
brawl,
uproar,
agitation,
fracas,
commotion,
rumpus,
tumult,
hubbub,
shindig (informal),
ruction (informal),
ruckus (informal),
shindy (informal)
in the sense of game
Definition
an activity that seems to operate according to unwritten rules
She's new to this game, so go easy on her.
Synonyms
activity,
business,
line,
situation,
proceeding,
enterprise,
undertaking,
occupation,
pursuit
in the sense of hubbub
Definition
a confused noise of many voices
a hubbub of excited conversation from over a thousand people
Synonyms
noise,
racket,
din,
uproar,
cacophony,
pandemonium,
babel,
tumult,
hurly-burly
in the sense of hullabaloo
Definition
a loud confused noise or commotion
I was scared by the hullabaloo over my arrival.
Synonyms
commotion,
to-do,
fuss,
noise,
confusion,
turmoil,
disturbance,
racket,
upheaval,
outcry,
clamour,
furore,
din,
uproar,
pandemonium,
rumpus,
bedlam,
babel,
tumult,
hubbub,
hurly-burly,
brouhaha,
ruction (informal),
hue and cry,
ruckus (informal)
in the sense of line
Definition
a field of interest or activity
What was your father's line of business?
Synonyms
occupation,
work,
calling,
interest,
business,
job,
area,
trade,
department (informal),
field,
career,
activity,
bag (slang),
employment,
province,
profession,
pursuit,
forte,
vocation,
specialization
in the sense of occupation
Definition
a person's job or profession
I was looking for an occupation which would allow me to travel.
Synonyms
job,
work,
calling,
business,
line (of work),
office,
trade,
position,
post,
career,
situation,
activity,
employment,
craft,
profession,
pursuit,
vocation,
livelihood,
walk of life
in the sense of outcry
Definition
a widespread or vehement protest
She was later reinstated in her job after a public outcry.
Synonyms
protest,
complaint,
objection,
cry,
dissent,
outburst,
disapproval,
clamour,
uproar,
commotion,
protestation,
exclamation,
formal complaint,
hue and cry,
hullaballoo,
demurral
in the sense of pandemonium
Definition
wild confusion
There was pandemonium in the court as the verdict was delivered.
Synonyms
uproar,
confusion,
chaos,
turmoil,
racket,
clamour,
din,
commotion,
rumpus,
bedlam,
babel,
tumult,
hubbub,
ruction (informal),
hullabaloo,
hue and cry,
ruckus (informal)
Additional synonyms
in the sense of row
Definition
a noisy disturbance
‘Whatever is that row?’ she demanded.
Synonyms
disturbance,
noise,
racket,
uproar,
commotion,
pandemonium,
rumpus,
tumult,
hubbub
in the sense of rumpus
Definition
a noisy or confused commotion
He had left before the rumpus started.
Synonyms
commotion,
row,
noise,
confusion,
fuss,
disturbance,
disruption,
furore,
uproar,
tumult,
brouhaha,
shindig (informal),
hue and cry,
kerfuffle (informal),
shindy (informal)
in the sense of tumult
Definition
a loud confused noise, such as one produced by a crowd
Round one ended to a tumult of whistles, screams and shouts.
Synonyms
clamour,
row,
outbreak,
racket,
din,
uproar,
fracas,
commotion,
pandemonium,
babel,
hubbub,
hullabaloo
in the sense of uproar
Definition
a commotion or disturbance characterized by loud noise and confusion