butterfly effect

noun

1. a cumulatively large effect that a very small natural force may produce over a period of time.

butterfly effect

noun

1. the idea, used in chaos theory, that a very small difference in the initial state of a physical system can make a significant difference to the state at some later time

butterfly effect

/ bŭt′ər-flī′ /

1. A phenomenon in which a small perturbation in the initial condition of a system results in large changes in later conditions. Such phenomena are common in complex dynamical systems and are studied in chaos theory.

Word History and Origins

Origin of butterfly effect¹

First recorded in 1980–85; so called from the notion that the fluttering of a butterfly's wings may set off currents that will grow into a large storm

Word History and Origins

Origin of butterfly effect¹

C20: from the theory that a butterfly flapping its wings in one part of the world might ultimately cause a hurricane in another part of the world

Example Sentences

The dramedy about an autistic teenager who decides that he wants to start dating, and the butterfly effect it has on his long-suffering family, was not a game changer.

From Time

He coined the phrase “the butterfly effect” to describe this phenomenon, suggesting that the flap of a butterfly’s wing could change the weather.

From Vox

Marvel’s time travel doesn’t work like either the butterfly effect or the loop.

From Time

Darryl said he thinks about that often, falling down a butterfly effect rabbit hole.

From Washington Post

More About Butterfly Effect

What does butterfly effect mean?

The butterfly effect is the idea that small events can have a large, unpredictable influence on the future.

How is butterfly effect pronounced?

[ buht-er-flahy ih-fekt ] 

What are some other words related to butterfly effect?

• chaos theory
• fractals
• domino effect
• snowball
• divergence

Where does butterfly effect come from?

The idea behind the butterfly effect was proposed by Edward Lorenz, a meteorologist and mathematician, in the 1960s. Lorenz was working with computer models for predicting the weather when he found that small rounding differences in input numbers caused significant changes in the results. He proposed that small differences at the outset can make for large differences in the results, making long-term weather forecasting highly difficult, if not impossible.

Lorenz described this finding in a 1963 paper, “The Predictability of Hydrodynamic Flow.” Lorenz wrote in the paper that another meteorologist criticized the idea by arguing that if it were true, then a single flap of a sea gull’s wings could affect the weather. Lorenz retorted that “the most recent evidence seems to favor the gulls.”

When Lorenz gave a talk on the subject in 1972 at a conference of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, fellow meteorologist Philip Merilees led a meteorology session and memorably titled Lorenz’s talk Predictability; Does the Flap of a Butterfly’s Wings in Brazil Set Off a Tornado in Texas? Since Lorenz’s talk, other notable variations on this title include a butterfly flapping its wings in Central Park causing rain in China or a butterfly flapping its wings in New York causing a hurricane in Japan.

Lorenz’s insights influenced a new field of mathematics called. Chaos theory deals with systems that are deterministic, not random, but still volatile, and has been applied to many fields, including biology and economics.

In the 1970–80s, the butterfly effect spread to academia and then on to popular culture. Articles referencing the butterfly effect appeared in various scientific journals. In 1985, the concept was notably adopted in a self-help book, Tapping Your Secret Source of Power. After explaining the meteorological use of the butterfly effect, the author proposes that the small actions someone takes in the present can have a powerful impact on one’s future.

How is butterfly effect used in real life?

The concept of the butterfly effect has been applied not just to weather but also to business, economics, and even individual’s lives.

Outside of technical applications, the butterfly effect is sometimes referenced metaphorically to describe how seemingly small actions or events can have larger consequences on one’s life. Colloquially, people may cite the butterfly effect in speech and writing to help explain, justify, or simply characterize how something trivial got out of hand.

The butterfly effect has also been referenced numerous times in popular culture. Ray Bradbury’s 1952 short story “A Sound of Thunder” is often associated with the butterfly effect; although it predates Lorenz’s work, Lorenz has said he was not aware of the story when he formulated his theory. In “A Sound of Thunder,” a time traveler inadvertently alters the present by stepping on a butterfly in the past. The story was parodied in a 1994 Simpsons episode.

A 2004 movie, The Butterfly Effect, explores a concept similar to Bradbury’s. The protagonist can change events in his past, but doing so has unpredictable consequences for the present. A sequel followed in 2006.

In 2015, the popular cartoon show The Amazing World of Gumball portrayed the butterfly effect in a more straightforward way, with the release of a butterfly causing chaos. Until Dawn, a video game released in 2015, utilized a game mechanic called the butterfly effect. A butterfly icon appears on the screen during events that lead to branching narratives. In 2017, hip-hop artist Travis Scott released a song, “Butterfly Effect,” where he reflects on the quality of his new life compared to the rough-and-tumble challenges of his old one.

On social media, many people may use filters to display butterflies on their selfies, punningly calling it the butterfly effect. Others may post pictures of their hair or makeup styled in some way to evoke butterflies, also calling it the butterfly effect.

More examples of butterfly effect:

“I wish I could see the butterfly effect played out in my life.. go back and change one thing to see how different my life would be today”
—@Marc_withdaC, April 2018

“Another possible victim of the Cox ‘butterfly effect,’ whom Buckley failed to mention, was young tall Darcy Moore…In Reid’s absence, Moore was swung forward and sustained a hamstring injury that will sideline him for up to four weeks.”
—Ben Collins, Australian Football League, April 2018

Note

This content is not meant to be a formal definition of this term. Rather, it is an informal summary that seeks to provide supplemental information and context important to know or keep in mind about the term’s history, meaning, and usage.