chaos

noun

cha·​os ˈkā-ˌäs 

1

a

: a state of utter confusion

the blackout caused chaos throughout the city

b

: a confused mass or mixture

a chaos of television antennas

2

a

often capitalized : a state of things in which chance is supreme

especially : the confused unorganized state of primordial matter before the creation of distinct forms compare cosmos

b

: the inherent unpredictability in the behavior of a complex natural system (such as the atmosphere, boiling water, or the beating heart)

3

obsolete : chasm, abyss

Synonyms

• chance-medley
• confusion
• disarrangement
• disarray
• dishevelment
• disorder
• disorderedness
• disorderliness
• disorganization
• free-for-all
• havoc
• heck
• hell
• jumble
• mare's nest
• mess
• messiness
• misorder
• muddle
• muss
• shambles
• snake pit
• tumble
• welter

Examples of chaos in a Sentence

The loss of electricity caused chaos throughout the city.

When the police arrived, the street was in total chaos.

The country had descended into economic chaos.

Recent Examples on the Web

Indeed, rebel violence and chaos weakened Uruguay's civilian government and helped pave the way for a 1973 coup that plunged the country into military dictatorship. —John Otis, NPR, 13 May 2025

The evolution from physical boundaries to digital chaos to intentional system design shows us both the problem and the solution. —Melissa Daimler, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025

The resulting chaos included rescues and beach resuscitation occurring simultaneously, officials said. —Mark Price, Miami Herald, 13 May 2025

Meanwhile, the article also described Bezos as choosing to accompany Sanchez to glitzy events or on luxury European vacations rather than to be present for the chaos that some of his decisions have unleashed at the Washington Post. —Martha Ross, Mercury News, 13 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin, from Greek — more at gum

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Phrases Containing chaos

• chaos theory

Kids Definition

chaos

noun

cha·​os ˈkā-ˌäs 

: complete confusion

chaotic

kā-ˈät-ik 

adjective

chaotically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb