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

If strikes did destabilize the regime, chaos could ensue in a nation of more than 90 million people. —Arkansas Online, 10 Feb. 2026

What better way and what better place to start anew, and to park the despondency and chaos of the past couple of months? —Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026

Between reservations, cards and calendar chaos, Valentine’s Day can start to feel more stressful than romantic. —Avery Newmark, AJC.com, 9 Feb. 2026

Containing everyday shoes is one of the trickiest feats in a home, but a system that works for the whole family keeps the chaos contained. —Wendy Rose Gould, Martha Stewart, 9 Feb. 2026

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