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 job required navigating ambiguity, making sense out of chaos, and anticipating needs without constant direction. —Lorraine K. Lee, CNBC, 4 Dec. 2025

Exhausted, shocked, anxious and nearly nine months pregnant , Annie is forced to navigate a city in chaos. —Brianne Kane, Scientific American, 4 Dec. 2025

When a reluctant bank robber inadvertently takes the group hostage, chaos and oversharing ensues. —Diana Lodderhose, Deadline, 4 Dec. 2025

For the Scotts, now legends in Chicago's western suburbs, the Christmas chaos has practically become tradition. —Bryan West, USA Today, 4 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