chaos
Americannoun
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a state of utter confusion or disorder; a total lack of organization or order.
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any confused, disorderly mass.
a chaos of meaningless phrases.
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the infinity of space or formless matter supposed to have preceded the existence of the ordered universe.
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(initial capital letter) the personification of this in any of several ancient Greek myths.
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Obsolete. a chasm or abyss.
noun
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complete disorder; utter confusion
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(usually capital) the disordered formless matter supposed to have existed before the ordered universe
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an obsolete word for abyss
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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.
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See more at fractal
Other Word Forms
- chaotic adjective
- chaotically adverb
Etymology
Origin of chaos
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin, Greek cháos; akin to chasm, yawn, gape
Explanation
Chaos is a state of extreme confusion and disorder. Putting a dozen dogs and a dozen cats in the same room would probably lead to utter chaos. The word chaos derives from a Greek word meaning "chasm" or "void," which makes sense, given that chaos also refers to the formless state of matter before the cosmos was created. In math and science, chaos describes a system that will develop in wildly different ways with only tiny changes to the initial conditions. "Controlled chaos" is a phrase often used casually to describe something that looks out of control but which functions according to unseen rules or organization.
Vocabulary lists containing chaos
Mayhem! Chaos! Pandemonium!
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"The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet," Vocabulary from Act 1
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Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie
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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.
The noisy chaos of the overcrowded Congolese capital reverberates behind the walls of the hotel.
From Barron's • Apr. 22, 2026
A month later, we did the set, and it was absolute chaos!
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 21, 2026
The former prosecutor was elected in 2024 on the premise that he could bring sober stability to Britain after years of political chaos.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 20, 2026
Even when benefits do end up coming through, the endless chaos, changes to the program, and fear around access to food are taking a toll.
From Slate • Apr. 19, 2026
After a week of the normal chaos of school and family, she needed these peaceful, restorative Saturday morning rides with Dodger.
From "Two Degrees" by Alan Gratz
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.
