mayhem
Mayhem (noun) means Wild confusion, disorder, or chaos. Example: “The power cut plunged the office into complete mayhem.”
How to use mayhem
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTotal chaos or disorder — everything happening at once and out of control.
Word forms
mayhemed past tense, mayhems plural, mayhems singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The power cut plunged the office into complete _____.
Etymology
From Anglo-Norman mahaim ("mutilation"), ultimately from a Germanic root meaning "to cripple" — the everyday "chaos" sense developed later from the legal one.
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “mayhem” mean?
The word “mayhem” means wild confusion, disorder, or chaos. In plain terms, total chaos or disorder — everything happening at once and out of control.
How do you pronounce “mayhem”?
“Mayhem” is pronounced MAY-hehm (/ˈmeɪəm/ in IPA).
How do you use “mayhem” in a sentence?
Here is “mayhem” used in a sentence: “The power cut plunged the office into complete mayhem.”
What part of speech is “mayhem”?
“Mayhem” is a noun.
Where does the word “mayhem” come from?
The word “mayhem” comes from Germanic. From Anglo-Norman mahaim ("mutilation"), ultimately from a Germanic root meaning "to cripple" — the everyday "chaos" sense developed later from the legal one.
Is “mayhem” a common word?
“Mayhem” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “mayhem” have?
“Mayhem” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: wild confusion, disorder, or chaos.
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