chaotic
kay-O-tihk
Chaotic (adj) means Completely disorganised or in a state of disorder. Example: “The classroom was chaotic before the teacher arrived.”
adj
1
Completely disorganised or in a state of disorder.
"The classroom was chaotic before the teacher arrived."
"It was a chaotic morning, with three deadlines all landing at once."
"Traffic was chaotic after the road closed without any warning."
2
In science, describing a system so sensitive to its starting conditions that small changes produce very different results.
"Turbulent airflow is a classic example of a chaotic system."
"Weather is a chaotic system, so tiny changes can alter a forecast."
"Scientists study the chaotic motion of a double pendulum in the lab."
How to use chaotic
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMessy, disordered, hard to predict or control.
Common pairings
chaotic scene
chaotic system
chaotic mess
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Word forms
- Plural
- chaotics
- Comparative
- more chaotic
- Superlative
- most chaotic
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The classroom was _____ before the teacher arrived.
Etymology
From chaos + the adjective-forming ending -otic, via Late Latin chaoticus.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for chaotic
biotic
exotic
erotic
robotic
idiotic
neurotic
narcotic
hypnotic
amniotic
probiotic
patriotic
symbiotic
See all rhymes for chaotic →
Frequently asked questions
What does “chaotic” mean?
The word “chaotic” means completely disorganised or in a state of disorder. In plain terms, messy, disordered, hard to predict or control.
How do you pronounce “chaotic”?
“Chaotic” is pronounced kay-O-tihk (/keɪˈɑtɪk/ in IPA).
How do you use “chaotic” in a sentence?
Here is “chaotic” used in a sentence: “The classroom was chaotic before the teacher arrived.”
What part of speech is “chaotic”?
“Chaotic” is an adjective.
Where does the word “chaotic” come from?
The word “chaotic” comes from Late Latin. From chaos + the adjective-forming ending -otic, via Late Latin chaoticus.
Is “chaotic” a common word?
“Chaotic” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “chaotic” have?
“Chaotic” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: completely disorganised or in a state of disorder.
What is the difference between chaotic and busy?
Busy describes a lot of activity that may still be organized, while chaotic specifically implies disorder and a lack of control or predictability. A busy office can run smoothly, but a chaotic office suggests things are falling apart or out of order.
What does chaotic mean in science, as opposed to everyday speech?
In everyday speech, chaotic simply means disorganized or disordered. In science, chaotic describes a system so sensitive to its starting conditions that tiny changes lead to very different outcomes, a concept known as chaos theory, seen in weather systems for example.
Can chaotic describe a person, or only situations?
Chaotic most naturally describes situations, places, or systems that are disorganized, such as a chaotic schedule or a chaotic scene. It can be applied to a person's lifestyle or behavior as well, when their habits or routines lack order.
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