butterfly effect
nounDefinition of butterfly effect
: 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
Fans all over social media have made the connection between the butterfly effect and Stormi’s name, pointing out chaos theory in the idea that a butterfly flapping its wings can create a storm somewhere far away. — Jen Juneau, PEOPLE.com, "From True to Stormi, Chicago, Saint and Reign: Decoding the Names of All the KarJenner Kids," 17 Apr. 2018 Well, in chaos theory, the butterfly effect is the phenomenon where a small change in a complex system can have large effects elsewhere. — Noelle Devoe, Seventeen, "Kylie Jenner Fans Have Decoded How Stormi Webster’s Name IS Actually Connected to Butterflies," 9 Feb. 2018 Change one detail and, via the butterfly effect, all manner of subsequent ones also alter. — Darran Anderson, The Atlantic, "The Cities That Never Existed," 17 June 2018 The butterfly effects of even a single make in those 23 misses could have been enormous. — Rob Mahoney, SI.com, "LeBron James Made the Right Play And It Cost the Cavs Game 1," 1 June 2018 The butterfly effect is a metaphor for the concept that small, seemingly insignificant events — like the fluttering of a butterfly's wings — can produce tremendous and unanticipated consequences. — Marie Claire, "The Butterfly Effect: Qatar," 4 June 2010 Out of the complexity of the global sand trade has emerged something of a butterfly effect, in which an economic decision in one place can wreak social and environmental havoc on the other side of the world. — Eoin O'carroll, The Christian Science Monitor, "It's a small world after all, say scientists warning of sand scarcity," 14 Sep. 2017These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'butterfly effect.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Keep scrolling for more
Comments on butterfly effect
What made you want to look up butterfly effect? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
Find the Cousins
-
- Which pair shares a common word ancestor?
Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZ
Share butterfly effect
Resources for butterfly effect