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

Whether it’s advising someone on a phone upgrade or a gift for a friend, “the little things do change trajectories—it’s cool to be part of the butterfly effect.”

From Slate

You may have come across the ‘butterfly effect’ where if a butterfly were to flutter its wings in Mexico, it can bring rain to the UK.

From BBC

Although we may commonly use the phrase to denote the seeming interconnectedness of our own lives, the term "butterfly effect" is sometimes associated with chaos theory.

From Science Daily

Goldenfeld said their work represents a more extreme version of the butterfly effect, first described by mathematician and meteorologist Edward Lorenz in 1969.

From Science Daily

The event had a butterfly effect with consequences that included an accelerated conquest of space, the continued existence of the Soviet Union and, yes, a President Gore.

From New York Times