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

The songwriter and producer’s second album pairs bedroom-pop vulnerability with electroclash chaos to capture the emotional overload of growing up. —Lydia Wei, Pitchfork, 13 Apr. 2026

Over six days the actions caused chaos as blockades at Ireland’s refinery, a major port and several vital depots prevented tanker trucks from delivering fuel to service stations and many gas pumps ran dry. —Brian Melley, Fortune, 13 Apr. 2026

With surprise celebrity appearances, the series will offer an unfiltered, laugh‑out‑loud glimpse into the everyday chaos around a viral family. —Max Goldbart, Deadline, 13 Apr. 2026

Choose the right plants, repeat them, and mass smaller plants in waves of color to help tame the chaos. —Erica Browne Grivas, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Apr. 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