noun
bedlam
BEHD-luhm
Bedlam (noun) means a scene of wild, noisy chaos and confusion. Example: “The kitchen turned into bedlam the moment the fire alarm went off.”
noun
1
A scene of wild, noisy chaos and confusion.
"The kitchen turned into bedlam the moment the fire alarm went off."
"There was bedlam in the stands after the last-minute goal."
How to use bedlam
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTotal chaos and uproar, like everyone shouting and rushing around at once.
Memory tip
Almost always used for a chaotic scene or event, not for a place called an asylum anymore — that older sense has faded from everyday use.
Trace the full origin ↓
Common pairings
sheer bedlam
bedlam broke out
utter bedlam
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Word forms
- Plural
- bedlams
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The kitchen turned into _____ the moment the fire alarm went off.
Etymology
From "Bedlam," a nickname for Bethlem Royal Hospital in London, once a notorious psychiatric hospital — the word came to mean any scene of madness and chaos.
Synonyms
View more →
chaos
madhouse
nuthouse
sanatorium
pandemonium
loony bin
nut house
snake pit
funny farm
booby hatch
crazy house
funny house
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “bedlam” mean?
The word “bedlam” means a scene of wild, noisy chaos and confusion. In plain terms, total chaos and uproar, like everyone shouting and rushing around at once.
How do you pronounce “bedlam”?
“Bedlam” is pronounced BEHD-luhm (/ˈbɛdləm/ in IPA).
How do you use “bedlam” in a sentence?
Here is “bedlam” used in a sentence: “The kitchen turned into bedlam the moment the fire alarm went off.”
What part of speech is “bedlam”?
“Bedlam” is a noun.
