disarray
Americanverb (used with object)
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disarrays,
present (3rd person singular)
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disarrayed,
past participle, past
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disarraying
present participle
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to put out of array or order; throw into disorder.
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to undress.
noun
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disorder; confusion.
The army retreated in disarray.
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disorder of apparel.
noun
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confusion, dismay, and lack of discipline
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(esp of clothing) disorderliness; untidiness
verb
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to throw into confusion
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archaic to undress
Other Word Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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disarraysimple
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disarrayssimple
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have disarrayedperfect
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has disarrayedperfect
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am disarrayingprogressive
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are disarrayingprogressive
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is disarrayingprogressive
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have been disarrayingperfect progressive
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has been disarrayingperfect progressive
Past
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disarrayedsimple
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had disarrayedperfect
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was disarrayingprogressive
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were disarrayingprogressive
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had been disarrayingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of disarray
1350–1400; (noun) late Middle English; Middle English disrai, d ( e ) rai < Anglo-French dissairay, Old French desaroi; (v.) Middle English disarayen < Anglo-French desaraier, Old French desareer; see dis- 1, array
Explanation
If something is confused or disorganized, use the noun disarray, like the disarray that follows your little brother everywhere he goes because he spills everything and never puts away his toys. Combine the prefix dis-, meaning “lack of,” with array, which derives from the Old French word areer ("to put in order"), and... you’ve got a mess on your hands — or a lack of order. That's disarray. Whether it’s your plans, your kitchen, your workplace, or your hair, the noun disarray can be used to describe anything that is characterized by disorder, untidiness, or confusion.
Vocabulary lists containing disarray
Tuck Everlasting
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Mayhem! Chaos! Pandemonium!
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This Week in Words: January 27 - February 2, 2018
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Other Iraqis wonder whether the U.S. withdrawal will trigger a repeat of 2014, when Iraqi forces melted away in disarray.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 30, 2026
Market choppiness and artificial-intelligence safety fears are spooking investors and throwing into disarray what was expected to be a string of blockbuster IPOs this fall.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 30, 2026
With her plans in disarray, Leila said she would probably pursue further study inside Iran instead.
From Barron's ● Sep. 8, 2026
The disarray and unsettledness that characterizes the end of this trial is unsatisfying but also in line with the whole of the Clancy saga.
From Slate ● Sep. 5, 2026
But much trust had been lost, and the negotiations were now in a state of disarray.
From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela
Broadcasting from the station’s small Brooklyn storefront, director Ricot Dupuy has fielded calls suggesting dark theories about the assassins or sharing fears for a motherland becoming further disarrayed.
From Reuters ● Jul. 9, 2021
She jabbed her chin at the disarrayed skeletons.
From Nature ● Jul. 31, 2013
Mr. Arpino, 60, was standing in the disarrayed showroom of Rootstein Display Mannequins in Chelsea, where he is the creative director.
From New York Times ● Dec. 12, 2012
Pastor Straton's bed was covered with newspapers, disarrayed.
From Time Magazine Archive
It was half-empty and the clothes were disarrayed and tumbled.
From "Native Son" by Richard Wright
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
