Chaos is a state of complete disorder and confusion.
The world's first transatlantic balloon race ended in chaos last night.
It is impossible to establish democracy amid economic chaos.
Synonyms: disorder, confusion, mayhem, havoc [informal] More Synonyms of chaos
chaos in British English
(ˈkeɪɒs)
noun
1.
complete disorder; utter confusion
2. (usually capital)
the disordered formless matter supposed to have existed before the ordered universe
3. an obsolete word for abyss
Derived forms
chaotic (keɪˈɒtɪk)
adjective
chaotically (chaˈotically)
adverb
Word origin
C15: from Latin, from Greek khaos; compare chasm, yawn
chaos in American English
(ˈkeɪˌɑs)
noun
1.
the disorder of formless matter and infinite space, supposed to have existed before the ordered universe
2.
extreme confusion or disorder
3. Archaic
an abyss; chasm
4. US, Ancient Mathematics
a pattern or state of order existing within apparent disorder, as in the irregularities of a coastline or a snowflake
SIMILAR WORDS: conˈfusion
Word origin
L < Gr chaos, space, (sense chaos (sense 1)) < IE base *ĝheu-, *ĝhei-, to gape: see yawn
Examples of 'chaos' in a sentence
chaos
Bring utter misery and chaos to millions of people by going on strike.
The Sun (2016)
Second, a No vote could bring political chaos.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It comes after scenes of chaos last summer.
The Sun (2015)
This cannot be done in the short term without causing complete chaos.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
What can you do with this chaos but bring out moments of beauty and of drama?
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Yet the backdrop to my journey towards adulthood was one of economic and political chaos.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The first official festival was utter chaos.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The world of giants is a world of chaos.
Crowley, Vivianne Phoenix From the Flame (1994)
He added it was not a return to the freezing conditions which caused chaos last month.
The Sun (2010)
It was complete chaos in the theatre.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The country faces economic and social chaos.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Patients were screaming out in pain and the ward appeared to be in utter chaos.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The world chaos does not capture it.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Do you remember the chaos last year when you ran out of salt?
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Complete chaos that makes for a blinding read.
The Sun (2014)
That would lead to economic chaos and cost jobs.
The Sun (2015)
It is a desert scene of utter chaos.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
All the coverage of the snow chaos was complete overkill.
The Sun (2010)
Such a policy would disrupt the balance of power and lead to economic and social chaos.
Garraty, John Arthur The American Nation: A History of the United States to 1877 (1995)
But his selection and the feeble dogma behind it has caused utter chaos.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
The reason why the world is in chaos is because things are being loved and people are being used.
The Sun (2015)
Because the world is basically chaos.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
WHY is it that a mere dusting of snow can bring chaos to much of the country?
The Sun (2007)
MORE heavy rain is expected to bring chaos to large areas today.
The Sun (2014)
A new course brings chaos from the off, with two tough new challenges involving floating tiles and spinning hoops.
The Sun (2016)
Quotations
The whole worl's in a state o' chassis!Sean O'CaseyJuno and the Paycock
Chaos is a name for any order that produces confusion in our mindsGeorge SantayanaDominations and Powers
Chaos often breeds life, when order breeds habitHenry Brooks AdamsThe Education of Henry Adams
In other languages
chaos
British English: chaos /ˈkeɪɒs/ NOUN
Chaos is a state of complete disorder and confusion.
The meeting ended in chaos.
American English: chaos
Arabic: فَوْضَى
Brazilian Portuguese: caos
Chinese: 混乱
Croatian: kaos
Czech: chaos
Danish: kaos
Dutch: chaos
European Spanish: caos
Finnish: kaaos
French: chaos
German: Chaos
Greek: χάος
Italian: caos
Japanese: 大混乱
Korean: 혼돈
Norwegian: kaos
Polish: zamieszanie
European Portuguese: caos
Romanian: haos
Russian: хаос
Latin American Spanish: caos
Swedish: kaos
Thai: ความสับสน
Turkish: kargaşa
Ukrainian: безлад
Vietnamese: sự hỗn loạn
Chinese translation of 'chaos'
chaos
(ˈkeɪɔs)
n(u)
混乱(亂) (hùnluàn)
(noun)
Definition
complete disorder or confusion
The country appears to be sliding towards chaos.
Synonyms
disorder
The emergency room was in disorder.
confusion
The rebel leader seems to have escaped in the confusion.
mayhem
the economic mayhem that this country's going through now
havoc (informal)
The overturned lorry wreaked havoc on the roads.
anarchy
Their liberal traditions were slipping into anarchy.
lawlessness
Lawlessness is a major problem.
pandemonium
There was pandemonium in the court as the verdict was delivered.
entropy
bedlam
He is causing bedlam at the hotel.
tumult
the recent tumult in global financial markets
disorganization
The army is suffering from low morale and disorganization.
Opposites
organization
,
neatness
,
tidiness
,
orderliness
Quotations
The whole worl's in a state o' chassis! [Sean O'Casey – Juno and the Paycock]Chaos is a name for any order that produces confusion in our minds [George Santayana – Dominations and Powers]Chaos often breeds life, when order breeds habit [Henry Brooks Adams – The Education of Henry Adams]
Additional synonyms
in the sense of anarchy
Definition
general lawlessness and disorder
Their liberal traditions were slipping into anarchy.
Synonyms
lawlessness,
revolution,
riot,
disorder,
confusion,
chaos,
rebellion,
misrule,
disorganization,
misgovernment
in the sense of bedlam
Definition
a noisy confused situation
He is causing bedlam at the hotel.
Synonyms
pandemonium,
noise,
confusion,
chaos,
turmoil,
clamour,
furore,
uproar,
commotion,
rumpus,
babel,
tumult,
hubbub,
ruction (informal),
hullabaloo,
hue and cry,
ruckus (informal)
in the sense of confusion
Definition
disorder
The rebel leader seems to have escaped in the confusion.