disarray

1 of 2

noun

dis·​ar·​ray ˌdis-ə-ˈrā 

1

: a lack of order or sequence : confusion, disorder

the room was in disarray

… the disarray of paper in the In-Out basket …

—Jackie Weger

2

: disorderly dress : dishabille

disarray

2 of 2

verb

disarrayed; disarraying; disarrays

transitive verb

1

: to throw into disorder

The discarded magazines and newspapers, the layers of dust and disarrayed rugs …

—Gloria Naylor

2

: undress

Synonyms

Noun

• havoc
• mess
• chaos
• jumble
• confusion
• hell
• disorder
• disorganization

Verb

• disrupt
• shuffle
• confuse
• disturb

Examples of disarray in a Sentence

Noun

The room was in disarray.

The company has fallen into complete disarray.

Verb

he had accidentally disarrayed his brother's CDs, leaving a telltale sign of borrowing without permission

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

When the restaurant is set to host a nationally renowned author as a special guest, the location falls into disarray. —Carly Tagen-Dye, People.com, 10 July 2025

Meanwhile, the Democrats had been left in disarray by their years in the wilderness. —Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2025

Verb

The film’s most trenchant scenes involve Gere in states of repose or regret or nostalgia, especially when psychically disarrayed in a chair with a camera facing toward him, wondering what, for example, desire smells like. —Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 6 Dec. 2024

The film’s most trenchant scenes involve Gere in states of repose or regret or nostalgia, especially when psychically disarrayed in a chair with a camera facing toward him, wondering what, for example, desire smells like. —Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 6 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English disaraye, disaray "disorder, broken military formation," borrowed from Anglo-French dissairay, noun derivative of desaraier "to mishandle, throw into disorder" — more at disarray entry 2

Verb

Middle English disarraien "to break up (a military formation), throw into disorder," borrowed from Anglo-French desaraier "to mishandle, throw into disorder," from des- dis- + arraier, arreyer, aroier "to arrange, order, marshal, equip, attire" — more at array entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for disarray

• aaa
• adonais
• alleyway
• alumnae
• anime
• anyway
• arete
• attache
• baa
• beaujolais
• bouvier
• breakaway

Kids Definition

disarray

1 of 2 noun

dis·​ar·​ray ˌdis-ə-ˈrā 

1

: a lack of order : confusion, disorder

the room was in disarray

2

: disorderly dress

disarray

2 of 2 verb

: to throw into disorder