noun
Uncommon
havoc
HA-vuhk
Havoc (noun) means Widespread destruction, chaos, or disorder. Example: “The storm wreaked havoc across the coastal towns.”
noun
1
Widespread destruction, chaos, or disorder.
"The storm wreaked havoc across the coastal towns."
"The toddler caused havoc in the kitchen within minutes."
verb
1
To cause widespread destruction or disorder to something.
"The invading army havocked the countryside as it advanced."
How to use havoc
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTotal chaos and destruction, almost always used with "wreak" — "wreak havoc" is the standard phrase.
Common mistake
Almost always paired with "wreak," not "wreck" — "wreak havoc" is correct, even though "wreck" looks similar and fits the destructive meaning.
Common pairings
wreak havoc
cause havoc
havoc ensued
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Word forms
- Plural
- havocs
- Third person singular
- havocs
- Past tense
- havocked
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The storm wreaked _____ across the coastal towns.
Etymology
From the Old French battle cry "crier havok" — a signal for soldiers to seize plunder — ultimately from a word for a hook or pruning tool used for grabbing loot.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “havoc” mean?
The word “havoc” means widespread destruction, chaos, or disorder. In plain terms, total chaos and destruction, almost always used with "wreak" — "wreak havoc" is the standard phrase.
How do you pronounce “havoc”?
“Havoc” is pronounced HA-vuhk (/ˈhævək/ in IPA).
How do you use “havoc” in a sentence?
Here is “havoc” used in a sentence: “The storm wreaked havoc across the coastal towns.”
What part of speech is “havoc”?
Depending on how it is used, “havoc” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “havoc” come from?
The word “havoc” comes from Old French. From the Old French battle cry "crier havok" — a signal for soldiers to seize plunder — ultimately from a word for a hook or pruning tool used for grabbing loot.
Is “havoc” a common word?
“Havoc” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “havoc” have?
“Havoc” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: widespread destruction, chaos, or disorder.
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