butterfly effect

noun

: a property of chaotic systems (such as the atmosphere) by which small changes in initial conditions can lead to large-scale and unpredictable variation in the future state of the system

Examples of butterfly effect in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The original show's opening moments see its characters watching a Russian step on the moon, and that one historical change sets off a butterfly effect creating a whole new history for mankind. —Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 30 Mar. 2026

The butterfly effect Oil production can’t simply be turned off and on like a light, as Swonk highlights. —Jake Angelo, Fortune, 11 Mar. 2026

Use a round brush or large-barrel iron to enhance the swoop—a.k.a the butterfly effect. —Amanda Le, InStyle, 4 Mar. 2026

Mostly, the film is about changing ways of life — those ways foisted and forced upon unsuspecting and innocent communities of both bears and people — and the butterfly effect that naturally (or, in some cases, unnaturally) follows. —Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 24 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1976, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for butterfly effect

• affect
• aspect
• bedecked
• bisect
• collect
• connect
• correct
• deflect
• detect
• direct
• dissect
• eject