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

/ keɪˈɒtɪk; ˈkeɪɒs /

noun

1. complete disorder; utter confusion
2. usually capital the disordered formless matter supposed to have existed before the ordered universe
3. See abyss
   an obsolete word for abyss

chaos

/ kā′ŏs′ /

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.

Derived Forms

• chaˈotically, adverb
• chaotic, adjective

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

Amid the chaos, Robinhood and other trading platforms blocked investors from purchasing GameStop for a time, and then set limits to the number of shares customers could purchase.

From Washington Post

In Chandrasekar’s paintings, chaos and order don’t merely coexist but actually harmonize.

From Washington Post

He clutched law enforcement tight as he argued that his presidency was in essence the only barrier between order and chaos.

From Washington Post

Dev Patel’s turn in “The Personal History of David Copperfield” might have been somewhat overlooked by viewers at home due to the film being released amid pandemic chaos, but Andy Samberg certainly caught their attention with Hulu’s “Palm Springs.”

From Washington Post

Last week, broad anxiety over the consequences of the market chaos and worrying economic data fueled widespread losses.

From Washington Post

He needed his art because, offstage, the chaos was sometimes too much.

From The Daily Beast

The excitement of the event and everything else was just chaos, so you're suddenly like: 'Actually it's a boy in the end.'

From The Daily Beast

Jackson was a poor disciplinarian whose classroom often seemed on the edge of complete chaos.

From The Daily Beast

Perhaps, as one cardinal recently complained, the chaos is the plan.

From The Daily Beast

Meanwhile, their Missouri hometown appears to be on the brink of chaos.

From The Daily Beast

There's Madame Ratignolle; because she keeps up her music, she doesn't let everything else go to chaos.

From Project Gutenberg

Take all the little fishergirls away from Paris—from the Quartier Latin—and you would find chaos and a morgue!

From Project Gutenberg

On coming into London, we found the streets in a condition of chaos, owing to repairs in the pavement.

From Project Gutenberg

The combined forces of Sheridan and Wright attacked the troops of Early and drove them from the area in great chaos.

From Project Gutenberg

I had to make, of course, another expedition to Jaffery's chambers, in order to restore to order the chaos that Doria had made.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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