chaos

[key-os]

noun

1. a state of utter confusion or disorder; a total lack of organization or order.

   Synonyms: tumult, turmoil, jumble, disarray
   Antonyms: calm, peace, order

2. any confused, disorderly mass.

   a chaos of meaningless phrases.

3. the infinity of space or formless matter supposed to have preceded the existence of the ordered universe.

4. (initial capital letter),  the personification of this in any of several ancient Greek myths.

5. Obsolete.,  a chasm or abyss.

chaos

/ ˈkeɪɒs, keɪˈɒtɪk /

noun

1. complete disorder; utter confusion

2. (usually capital) the disordered formless matter supposed to have existed before the ordered universe

3. an obsolete word for abyss

chaos

1. The behavior of systems that follow deterministic laws but appear random and unpredictable. Chaotic systems very are sensitive to initial conditions; small changes in those conditions can lead to quite different outcomes. One example of chaotic behavior is the flow of air in conditions of turbulence.

2. See more at fractal

chaos

1. A new branch of science that deals with systems whose evolution depends very sensitively upon the initial conditions. Turbulent flows of fluids (such as white water in a river) and the prediction of the weather are two areas where chaos theory has been applied with some success.

Other Word Forms

• chaotic adjective
• chaotically adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of chaos¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin, Greek cháos; akin to chasm, yawn, gape

Word History and Origins

Origin of chaos¹

C15: from Latin, from Greek khaos; compare _chasm , yawn

Example Sentences

Moscow has escalated attacks on energy facilities over recent weeks, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused Russia of attempting to "create chaos and apply psychological pressure".

Read more on BBC

The Ukrainian energy minister also said that Russian forces were "inflicting a massive strike" on the energy grid, a day after President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Moscow of sowing "chaos" with such attacks.

Read more on Barron's

Other things I don’t—chaos, vengeance, lack of thought about the deeper meaning of things.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

All these chores, errands and responsibilities are simple to schedule on paper, but in practice, unforeseen circumstances ensure that chaos reigns.

Read more on Salon

Even if their shots don’t go in, the traffic in front of the goal leads to more tips, ricochets and general chaos in the tight areas around Winnipeg’s goal.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• anarchy 
• disarray 
• discord 
• disorder 
• lawlessness 
• pandemonium 
• tumult 
• turmoil