chaos
KAY-os
Chaos (noun) means Complete disorder and confusion. Example: “Chaos broke out in the playground when the sprinklers suddenly switched on.”
noun
1
Complete disorder and confusion.
"Chaos broke out in the playground when the sprinklers suddenly switched on."
"The office descended into chaos when the fire alarm went off."
"There was chaos at the airport after all flights were cancelled."
2
In mathematics and science, unpredictable behaviour in a system where tiny differences at the start lead to wildly different outcomes later.
"The lecturer used a swinging pendulum to show how chaos can arise in simple systems."
"In chaos theory, a tiny change in the starting numbers can produce a completely different result."
"Chaos theory explains why weather forecasts become unreliable more than a week ahead."
How to use chaos
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA state of total disorder, where nothing is organised or predictable.
Common pairings
total chaos
descend into chaos
chaos theory
utter chaos
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Word forms
- Plural
- chaoses
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
_____ broke out in the playground when the sprinklers suddenly switched on.
Etymology
From Ancient Greek khaos, meaning "vast chasm" or "void" — the formless emptiness that existed before creation in Greek myth.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for chaos
See all rhymes for chaos →Frequently asked questions
What does “chaos” mean?
The word “chaos” means complete disorder and confusion. In plain terms, a state of total disorder, where nothing is organised or predictable.
How do you pronounce “chaos”?
“Chaos” is pronounced KAY-os (/ˈkeɪˌɑs/ in IPA).
How do you use “chaos” in a sentence?
Here is “chaos” used in a sentence: “The office descended into chaos when the fire alarm went off.”
What is another word for “chaos”?
Words with a similar meaning to “chaos” include disorder.
What is the opposite of “chaos”?
The opposite of “chaos” — its antonyms — are cosmos and order.
What part of speech is “chaos”?
“Chaos” is a noun.
Where does the word “chaos” come from?
The word “chaos” comes from Ancient Greek. From Ancient Greek khaos, meaning "vast chasm" or "void" — the formless emptiness that existed before creation in Greek myth.
Is “chaos” a common word?
“Chaos” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between chaos and order?
Chaos means complete disorder and confusion, while order is its opposite: a state of arrangement, structure, and predictability. In everyday use they are direct antonyms, describing whether a situation is out of control or well organized.
What is the difference between everyday chaos and mathematical chaos?
In everyday language, chaos means complete disorder and confusion. In mathematics and science, chaos has a specific meaning: unpredictable behaviour in a system where tiny differences at the start lead to wildly different outcomes later, as in chaos theory.
Is 'chaos' a countable or uncountable noun?
'Chaos' is an uncountable (mass) noun, so it is not used with 'a' or in the plural. You would say 'there was chaos' rather than 'a chaos' or 'chaoses.'
What are common collocations with 'chaos'?
'Chaos' often appears in phrases such as 'complete chaos,' 'utter chaos,' 'descend into chaos,' 'cause chaos,' and 'chaos theory.' These emphasise either the severity of the disorder or its scientific sense.
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