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

While Folklore offered an escape from the chaos with its appeal to nostalgia, memory and the past, its sister album asked us to reckon with our inner lives and look forward. —Brendan Le, PEOPLE, 11 Dec. 2025

Amid all the familial chaos, Matt sparks a new romance with Eve (Jenna Elfman), a choreographer who owns a dance studio across from his shop. —Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Dec. 2025

There’s a lot happening here—the shifting perspectives, the gradient splashes—but Arsh somehow orchestrates real beauty within the chaos. —Emily Temple, Literary Hub, 11 Dec. 2025

With chaos occurring in and around Ann Arbor, former LSU Tigers star defensive back Tyrann Mathieu wrote on social media that Underwood should consider transferring to his alma mater in the Bayou. —Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 11 Dec. 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