chaos

UK: /ˈkeɪɒs/ US: /ˈkeɪɑs/ ,(kā′os)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

cha•os /ˈkeɪɑs/   n. [uncountable]

1. a state of confusion or disorder:
   Economic chaos resulted from his policies.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

cha•os  (kā′os), n. 

1. a state of utter confusion or disorder;
   a total lack of organization or order.
2. any confused, disorderly mass:
   a chaos of meaningless phrases.
3. the infinity of space or formless matter supposed to have preceded the existence of the ordered universe.
4. Mythology (cap.) the personification of this in any of several ancient Greek myths.
5. [Obs.] a chasm or abyss.

• Greek; akin to chasm, yawn, gape
• Latin
• late Middle English 1400–50

Synonyms

• 1. disarray, jumble, turmoil, tumult.

Antonyms

• 1. order, peace, calm.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

chaos / 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

Etymology: 15th Century: from Latin, from Greek khaos; compare chasm, yawn

chaotic / keɪˈɒtɪk/ adjective

chaˈotically adverb