First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
chaos
noun cha·os \ˈkā-ˌäs\
: complete confusion and disorder : a state in which behavior and events are not controlled by anything
: the state of the universe before there was any order and before stars and planets were formed
Full Definition of CHAOS
2
a often capitalized : a state of things in which chance is supreme; especially : the confused unorganized state of primordial matter before the creation of distinct forms — compare cosmos b : the inherent unpredictability in the behavior of a complex natural system (as the atmosphere, boiling water, or the beating heart)
3
a : a state of utter confusion <the blackout caused chaos throughout the city> b : a confused mass or mixture <a chaos of television antennas>
— cha·ot·ic \kā-ˈä-tik\ adjective
— cha·ot·i·cal·ly \-ti-k(ə-)lē\ adverb
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Origin of CHAOS
Latin, from Greek — more at gum
Related to CHAOS
- Synonyms
- chance-medley, confusion, disarrangement, disarray, dishevelment, disorder, disorderedness, disorderliness, disorganization, free-for-all, havoc, heck, hell, jumble, mare's nest, mess, messiness, misorder, muddle, muss, shambles, snake pit, tumble, welter
- Antonyms
- order, orderliness
CHAOTICALLY Defined for Kids
chaos
noun cha·os \ˈkā-ˌäs\
Definition of CHAOS for Kids
: complete confusion and disorder
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