chaos

noun

cha·​os ˈkā-ˌäs How to pronounce chaos (audio)
1
a
: a state of utter confusion
the blackout caused chaos throughout the city
b
: a confused mass or mixture
a chaos of television antennas
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 (such as the atmosphere, boiling water, or the beating heart)
3
obsolete : chasm, abyss

Examples of chaos in a Sentence

The loss of electricity caused chaos throughout the city. When the police arrived, the street was in total chaos. The country had descended into economic chaos.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
All have TVs, none have the usual game day chaos. Jenn Rice, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025 These agents of chaos must be exorcized from our nation without apology and without compromise. Brooke L. Rollins, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025 Radios, redundancy and backup tech After Helene’s chaos knocked out cell towers, sliced underground fiber lines and broke internet access, many counties were unable to reach residents or even each other. Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 18 Sep. 2025 But even amidst the chaos of the conflagration, there’s still a ton of dancing going on, and the video’s end seems to suggest the whole thing was all a fantasy as Kevitch’s routine comes to a close and the crowd erupts in applause. Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 18 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for chaos

Word History

Etymology

Latin, from Greek — more at gum

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Time Traveler
The first known use of chaos was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Chaos.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chaos. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

chaos

noun
cha·​os ˈkā-ˌäs How to pronounce chaos (audio)
: complete confusion
chaotic adjective
chaotically adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on chaos

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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