disorder

1 of 2

noun

dis·​or·​der (ˌ)dis-ˈȯr-dər 

(ˌ)diz-

1

: lack of order

clothes in disorder

2

: breach of the peace or public order

troubled times marked by social disorders

3

: an abnormal physical or mental condition

a liver disorder

a personality disorder

disorder

2 of 2

verb

disordered; disordering; disorders

transitive verb

1

: to disturb the order of

2

: to disturb the regular or normal functions of

Synonyms of disorder

Noun

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

Verb

• disrupt
• confuse
• disturb
• disarray
• shuffle

Examples of disorder in a Sentence

Noun

The mayor is concerned that a rally could create public disorder.

problems of crime and social disorder

Millions of people suffer from some form of personality disorder.

Verb

be careful not to disorder the carefully arranged contents of the dresser

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Mentors also can recognize when someone is in trouble and connect them with resources, such as a group that focuses on post-traumatic stress disorder. — Susan Sarkauskas, Chicago Tribune, 11 Nov. 2026

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive disorder of the nervous system that affects movement. — Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 11 Nov. 2026

Verb

Eating disorders and disordered eating bring in this additional layer of societal and structural differences in gender and the gendered norms that can also influence health. — Elizabeth Cooney, STAT, 26 Oct. 2026

Globally, a 2026 systematic review estimated that 1 in 5 athletes have an eating disorder or disordered eating behaviors or symptoms. — Erin Harrop, The Conversation, 18 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1523, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing disorder

• affective disorder
• alcohol use disorder
• antisocial personality disorder
• anxiety disorder
• Asperger's disorder
• attention deficit disorder
• attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
• autism spectrum disorder
• autistic disorder
• autistic spectrum disorder
• binge eating disorder
• bipolar disorder
• borderline personality disorder
• colony collapse disorder
• conversion disorder
• developmental disorder
• dissociative identity disorder
• eating disorder
• factitious disorder
• factitious disorder imposed on another
• factitious disorder imposed on self
• fetal alcohol spectrum disorder
• gender identity disorder
• generalized anxiety disorder
• hoarding disorder
• illness anxiety disorder
• major depressive disorder
• mental disorder
• mood disorder
• multiple personality disorder
• narcissistic personality disorder
• neurodegenerative disorder
• obsessive-compulsive disorder
• oppositional defiant disorder
• panic disorder
• personality disorder
• pervasive developmental disorder
• post-traumatic stress disorder
• premenstrual dysphoric disorder
• psychopathic personality disorder
• schizoid personality disorder
• schizotypal personality disorder
• seasonal affective disorder
• sleep disorder
• somatic symptom disorder
• temporomandibular disorder
• temporomandibular joint disorder
• throw into disorder
• unipolar disorder

Rhymes for disorder

• camcorder
• recorder
• reorder
• suborder
• transborder
• boarder
• border
• corder
• order
• warder

Kids Definition

disorder

1 of 2 verb

dis·​or·​der (ˈ)dis-ˈȯrd-ər 

1

: to disturb the order of

2

: to disturb the regular or normal functions of

disorder

2 of 2 noun

1

: lack of order : a state or condition without order

clothes in disorder

2

: an abnormal physical or mental condition : ailment

Medical Definition

disorder

1 of 2 transitive verb

dis·​or·​der (ˈ)dis-ˈȯrd-ər, (ˈ)diz- 

disordered; disordering -ˈȯrd-(ə-)riŋ 

: to disturb the regular or normal functions of

disorder

2 of 2 noun

: an abnormal physical or mental condition : ailment

an intestinal disorder

a nervous disorder