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

“Anyone who has two sisters knows the chaos and intensity that can bring,” she said.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“There are people in the White House who believe Duffy has made unnecessary chaos rather than just accept that his time is in the sunset,” one anonymous official told the outlet.

Read more on Salon

Norris held the lead as chaos broke out behind him and soon started to edge away.

Read more on BBC

Terrorists, gang members and rioters routinely attack federal law-enforcement officers working to reimpose order after years of chaos under the Biden administration.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

On Saturday, Mousa Abu Marzouk, Hamas's head of international relations and legal affairs, warned: "Excluding Hamas from maintaining stability in the Gaza Strip could lead to chaos and a security vacuum."

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

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