chaos

noun

cha·​os ˈkā-ˌäs 

1

a

: a state of utter confusion

the blackout caused chaos throughout the city

b

: a confused mass or mixture

a chaos of television antennas

2

a

often Chaos : a state of things in which chance is supreme

especially : the confused unorganized state of primordial matter before the creation of distinct forms compare cosmos

b

: the inherent unpredictability in the behavior of a complex natural system (such as the atmosphere, boiling water, or the beating heart)

3

obsolete : chasm, abyss

Synonyms of chaos

• havoc
• mess
• jumble
• confusion
• hell
• disorder

Examples of chaos in a Sentence

The loss of electricity caused chaos throughout the city.

When the police arrived, the street was in total chaos.

The country had descended into economic chaos.

Recent Examples on the Web

Alexa's voice-purchasing tools have long been a source of both convenience and accidental chaos for households with young children. —Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2025

Joseph’s film plays on cultural expectations and the chaos that surrounds milestone moments. —Essie Assibu, Variety, 27 Nov. 2025

The parasitic queen then ran for safety as chaos erupted. —Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 27 Nov. 2025

It is not yet known how many of the people listed as missing were trapped and how many simply couldn’t be contacted in the chaos of evacuating such a huge complex. —Catherine Nicholls, CNN Money, 26 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin, from Greek — more at gum

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Phrases Containing chaos

• chaos theory

Kids Definition

chaos

noun

cha·​os ˈkā-ˌäs 

: complete confusion

chaotic

kā-ˈät-ik 

adjective

chaotically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb