noun
disarray
dih-suh-RAY
Disarray (noun) means a state of disorder or confusion. Example: “The office was left in complete disarray after the break-in.”
noun
1
A state of disorder or confusion.
"The office was left in complete disarray after the break-in."
"The party fell into disarray after the leader resigned."
verb
1
To throw into disorder.
"The storm disarrayed the neatly stacked crates."
How to use disarray
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA messy, disorganized state — often used for plans, groups, or physical spaces falling apart.
Common pairings
in disarray
political disarray
complete disarray
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Word forms
- Plural
- disarrays
- Third person singular
- disarrays
- Past tense
- disarrayed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The office was left in complete _____ after the break-in.
Etymology
From Middle English disareyen, via Middle French desarroyer, from des- ("dis-") + areer ("to array").
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for disarray
See all rhymes for disarray →Frequently asked questions
What does “disarray” mean?
The word “disarray” means a state of disorder or confusion. In plain terms, a messy, disorganized state — often used for plans, groups, or physical spaces falling apart.
How do you pronounce “disarray”?
“Disarray” is pronounced dih-suh-RAY (/dɪsəˈɹeɪ/ in IPA).
How do you use “disarray” in a sentence?
Here is “disarray” used in a sentence: “The office was left in complete disarray after the break-in.”
What is the opposite of “disarray”?
The opposite of “disarray” — its antonyms — is array.
What part of speech is “disarray”?
Depending on how it is used, “disarray” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “disarray” come from?
The word “disarray” comes from Middle French. From Middle English disareyen, via Middle French desarroyer, from des- ("dis-") + areer ("to array").
How many meanings does “disarray” have?
“Disarray” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a state of disorder or confusion.
