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 airline chaos continued into Monday, prompting warnings from airport officials who said the delays are likely to continue this week. —Irene Wright, USA Today, 9 Mar. 2026

Reckless, bullying, chaos-sparking players don’t fit into today’s NFL softness. —Cam Inman, Mercury News, 9 Mar. 2026

Boston, meanwhile, put off announcing its plans until last month, as delays in federal and state funding caused organizing chaos for both the seven matches at Gillette Stadium and the festival. —Sasha Richie, Dallas Morning News, 9 Mar. 2026

They were aimed at dragging Western civilization back toward chaos. —Calev Myers, New York Daily News, 9 Mar. 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