Rigmarole

/ˈrɪɡmərəʊl/
noun

A complex, needless process or procedure.

Going through the rigmarole of interviews and tests for the job was draining.
Visual representation of "rigmarole" - A complex, needless process or procedure

Often appears as...

  • go through a rigmarole
  • simple without rigmarole
noun

Lengthy and confusing talk.

Her explanation was a rigmarole and I couldn't understand anything.
Visual representation of "rigmarole" - Lengthy and confusing talk

Often appears as...

  • give a rigmarole
  • lengthy rigmarole

Usage tips

Colloquial

noun

A complex, needless process or procedure.

Going through the rigmarole of interviews and tests for the job was draining.
Visual representation of "rigmarole" - A complex, needless process or procedure

Often appears as...

  • go through a rigmarole
  • simple without rigmarole
noun

Lengthy and confusing talk.

Her explanation was a rigmarole and I couldn't understand anything.
Visual representation of "rigmarole" - Lengthy and confusing talk

Often appears as...

  • give a rigmarole
  • lengthy rigmarole

Usage tips

Colloquial

Definition 1 of 2
Visual representation of "rigmarole"
LampPro Tip 1/3

Excess Procedure

Rigmarole often implies unnecessary steps in a process that add frustration or delay.

Illustration for Excess Procedure
Completing the rigmarole of paperwork just to borrow a library book seemed excessive.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Negative Connotation

The word usually carries a negative tone, suggesting annoyance with the complex process.

Illustration for Negative Connotation
There's a whole rigmarole involved with getting your driver’s license renewed.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Formal Situations

Use 'rigmarole' in informal settings; in formal contexts, choose words like 'procedure' or 'process'.

Illustration for Formal Situations
I didn’t expect such a rigmarole to cancel my gym membership.
LampPro Tip 1/3

Excess Procedure

Rigmarole often implies unnecessary steps in a process that add frustration or delay.

Illustration for Excess Procedure
Completing the rigmarole of paperwork just to borrow a library book seemed excessive.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Negative Connotation

The word usually carries a negative tone, suggesting annoyance with the complex process.

Illustration for Negative Connotation
There's a whole rigmarole involved with getting your driver’s license renewed.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Formal Situations

Use 'rigmarole' in informal settings; in formal contexts, choose words like 'procedure' or 'process'.

Illustration for Formal Situations
I didn’t expect such a rigmarole to cancel my gym membership.
LampPro Tip 1/3

Excess Procedure

Rigmarole often implies unnecessary steps in a process that add frustration or delay.

Illustration for Excess Procedure
Completing the rigmarole of paperwork just to borrow a library book seemed excessive.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Negative Connotation

The word usually carries a negative tone, suggesting annoyance with the complex process.

Illustration for Negative Connotation
There's a whole rigmarole involved with getting your driver’s license renewed.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Formal Situations

Use 'rigmarole' in informal settings; in formal contexts, choose words like 'procedure' or 'process'.

Illustration for Formal Situations
I didn’t expect such a rigmarole to cancel my gym membership.
Visual representation of the word "Rigmarole"

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Quote examples

Bertrand Russell

British Philosopher

If any philosopher had been asked for a definition of infinity, he might have produced some unintelligible rigmarole, but he would certainly not have been able to give a definition that had any meaning at all.
Portrait of Bertrand Russell

Quote examples

Stacey Snider

American Businesswoman

This is fundamentally true of the media business, the rigmarole you go through while trying to make 25 movies while not seeing your kids.
Portrait of Stacey Snider

Quote examples

Urvashi Rautela

Indian Actress

Since I started my career very early, I have gone through the rigmarole of experiencing successes and failures.
Portrait of Urvashi Rautela

Quote examples

Johnny Vegas

British Comedian

I hate flying, airports and the whole rigmarole - queuing up, security and lost luggage.
Portrait of Johnny Vegas

Quote examples

Bertrand Russell

British Philosopher

If any philosopher had been asked for a definition of infinity, he might have produced some unintelligible rigmarole, but he would certainly not have been able to give a definition that had any meaning at all.
Portrait of Bertrand Russell

Quote examples

Stacey Snider

American Businesswoman

This is fundamentally true of the media business, the rigmarole you go through while trying to make 25 movies while not seeing your kids.
Portrait of Stacey Snider

Quote examples

Urvashi Rautela

Indian Actress

Since I started my career very early, I have gone through the rigmarole of experiencing successes and failures.
Portrait of Urvashi Rautela

Quote examples

Johnny Vegas

British Comedian

I hate flying, airports and the whole rigmarole - queuing up, security and lost luggage.
Portrait of Johnny Vegas
Example 1 of 4
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