disarray
Americanverb (used with object)
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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:
The agreement -- aimed at preventing a repeat of the international disarray in responding to the Covid-19 pandemic -- cannot enter into force until the annex is finalised.
From Barron's ● Jun. 15, 2026
The move to restrict CAISI’s activity is the latest example of how powerful models such as Mythos have thrown the administration’s hands-off AI strategy into disarray.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 9, 2026
"People didn't need to know I had clothes everywhere and the room was in disarray!"
From BBC ● Jun. 5, 2026
Or at least, in less of a disarray than their opponents?
From Slate ● Jun. 1, 2026
The wrapping paper had been torn open and carelessly retied, but even through the disarray I could spot Nollie’s loving touch.
From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom
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
He is a blue-eyed Pan with croppy, disarrayed blond hair and lips that are pursed in a rubber grin.
From Time Magazine Archive
The floral night breeze blew a lock of Lydia’s disarrayed hair against Dill’s lips.
From "The Serpent King" by Jeff Zentner
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
