disorder

[dis-awr-der]

noun

1. lack of order or regular arrangement; confusion.

   Your room is in utter disorder.

   Synonyms: clutter, litter, jumble, disarray, disorderliness

2. an irregularity.

   a disorder in legal proceedings.

3. breach of order; disorderly conduct; public disturbance.

   Synonyms: turbulence, riot

4. a disturbance in physical or mental health or functions; malady or dysfunction.

   a mild stomach disorder.

   Synonyms: indisposition, sickness, complaint, illness, malady, ailment

verb (used with object)

1. to destroy the order or regular arrangement of; disarrange.

   Synonyms: disorganize, disarray

2. to derange the physical or mental health or functions of.

   Synonyms: confuse, upset, disturb

disorder

/ dɪsˈɔːdə /

noun

1. a lack of order; disarray; confusion

2. a disturbance of public order or peace

3. an upset of health; ailment

4. a deviation from the normal system or order

verb

1. to upset the order of; disarrange; muddle

2. to disturb the health or mind of

Other Word Forms

• predisorder noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of disorder¹

First recorded in 1470–80; dis- ¹ + order

Synonym Study

Disorder, brawl, disturbance, uproar are disruptions or interruptions of a peaceful situation. Disorder refers to civil unrest or to any scene in which there is confusion or fighting: The police went to the scene of the disorder. A brawl is a noisy, unseemly quarrel, usually in a public place: a tavern brawl. A disturbance is disorder of a size as to inconvenience people: to cause a disturbance. An uproar is a tumult, a bustle and clamor of many voices, often because of a disturbance: a mighty uproar.

Example Sentences

Currently, for police to ban a march entirely, there needs to be a risk of serious public disorder.

From BBC

People with schizophrenia, personality and eating disorders and bipolar have been part of the programme, which the DJ helps to fund personally.

From BBC

That includes those undergoing some cancer treatment and transplant patients, along with those living with HIV and some genetic disorders.

From BBC

Three men who pushed, punched and kicked police officers during protests outside The Bell Hotel in Epping have become the first to be jailed for the disorder.

From BBC

Bates murders his victims due to a form of dissociative identity disorder that drives him according to her will.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• chaos 
• complication 
• disturbance 
• lawlessness 
• trouble 
• unrest