disorder

UK: /ˌdɪsˈɔː^rdə^r/ US: /dɪsˈɔrdɚ/ ,(dis ôr′dər)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

dis•or•der /dɪsˈɔrdɚ/   n. 

1. lack of order;
   confusion:
   [uncountable] When the burglars left, the room was in complete disorder.
2. an irregularity:
   [countable] a disorder in legal proceedings.
3. public disturbance;
   rioting:
   [uncountable] The police could not cope with all the disorder in the streets.
   [countable] Several disorders rocked the township yesterday.
4. a disturbance in health:
   [countable] a mild stomach disorder.

v. [~ + object]

5. to destroy the order of;
   disarrange:
   The room was disordered when we arrived at the scene of the burglary.
6. to derange the health or functions of:
   a disordered mind.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

dis•or•der  (dis ôr′dər), n. 

1. lack of order or regular arrangement;
   confusion:
   Your room is in utter disorder.
2. an irregularity:
   a disorder in legal proceedings.
3. breach of order;
   disorderly conduct;
   public disturbance.
4. a disturbance in physical or mental health or functions;
   malady or dysfunction:
   a mild stomach disorder.

v.t. 

5. to destroy the order or regular arrangement of;
   disarrange.
6. to derange the physical or mental health or functions of.

• dis-¹ + order 1470–80

Synonyms

• 1. . disorderliness, disarray, jumble, litter, clutter.
• 3. . riot, turbulence.
  Disorder, brawl, disturbance, uproar are disruptions or interruptions of a peaceful situation.
  Disorder refers to civil unrest or to any scene in which there is confusion or fighting:
  The police went to the scene of the disorder.
  A brawl is a noisy, unseemly quarrel, usually in a public place:
  a tavern brawl.
  A disturbance is disorder of a size as to inconvenience people:
  to cause a disturbance.
  An uproar is a tumult, a bustle and clamor of many voices, often because of a disturbance:
  a mighty uproar.
• 4. . ailment, malady, illness, complaint, sickness, indisposition.
• 5. . disarray, mess up, disorganize.
• 6. . disturb, upset, confuse.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

disorder / dɪsˈɔːdə/ noun

1. a lack of order; disarray; confusion
2. a disturbance of public order or peace
3. an upset of health; ailment
4. a deviation from the normal system or order

verb (transitive)

1. to upset the order of; disarrange; muddle
2. to disturb the health or mind of