disorder

American  

[dis-awr-der] / dɪsˈɔr dər /

noun

1. lack of order or regular arrangement; confusion.

   Your room is in utter disorder.

   Synonyms:

   clutter, litter, jumble, disarray, disorderliness

2. an irregularity.

   a disorder in legal proceedings.

3. breach of order; disorderly conduct; public disturbance.

   Synonyms:

   turbulence, riot

4. a disturbance in physical or mental health or functions; malady or dysfunction.

   a mild stomach disorder.

   Synonyms:

   indisposition, sickness, complaint, illness, malady, ailment

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verb (used with object)

1. to destroy the order or regular arrangement of; disarrange.

   Synonyms:

   disorganize, disarray

2. to derange the physical or mental health or functions of.

   Synonyms:

   confuse, upset, disturb

disorder British  

/ dɪsˈɔːdə /

noun

1. a lack of order; disarray; confusion

2. a disturbance of public order or peace

3. an upset of health; ailment

4. a deviation from the normal system or order

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verb

1. to upset the order of; disarrange; muddle

2. to disturb the health or mind of

Related Words

Disorder, brawl, disturbance, uproar are disruptions or interruptions of a peaceful situation. Disorder refers to civil unrest or to any scene in which there is confusion or fighting: The police went to the scene of the disorder. A brawl is a noisy, unseemly quarrel, usually in a public place: a tavern brawl. A disturbance is disorder of a size as to inconvenience people: to cause a disturbance. An uproar is a tumult, a bustle and clamor of many voices, often because of a disturbance: a mighty uproar.

Other Word Forms

• predisorder noun

Etymology

Origin of disorder

First recorded in 1470–80; dis- ¹ + order

Example Sentences

The company says it is developing traditional Chinese medicine, primarily herbal formulas, to treat autism spectrum disorder and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.

From The Wall Street Journal

This means the pseudogap is closely tied to subtle magnetic structures that persist beneath what initially appears to be disorder.

From Science Daily

Once the melting temperature is reached, an orderly solid structure quickly turns into a disordered liquid.

From Science Daily

Dementia refers to a group of brain disorders rather than a single disease.

From Science Daily

The musician said his disorder led him to moments of “poor judgment and reckless behavior,” some he said he can’t recall.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• chaos
• complication
• disturbance
• lawlessness
• trouble
• unrest