chaos

B1 Topic:Abstract Ideas

US /ˈkeɪ.ɑs/ UK /ˈkeɪ.ɒs/ See IPA manual

Freq #3545

Meanings

1

noun
A state of complete confusion and disorder.

The storm left the airport in total chaos.
2

noun
In science, the behaviour of systems that are extremely sensitive to small changes.

Weather is a classic example of chaos in nature.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 noun · a state of complete... bedlam pandemonium

More disorder

Opposites

cosmos order

Word family

Forms chaoses

Derived forms antichaosantichaoticantichaotropicchaogenouschaoitechaolitechaologicalchaologistchaologychaomancychaophiliachaophilic

Related forms chao-discord entropy

Simplified etymology

Chaos comes from Greek khaos, originally “a gaping void” or “chasm.” It later denoted the formless matter believed to precede the universe and then developed its modern sense of complete confusion or disorder.

Etymology

From Latin chaos (“chaos”), from Ancient Greek χάος (kháos).

chaos Latin χάος Ancient Greek

View etymology graph ->

Topics

Abstract Ideas

External links

# chaos

**Type:** Word
**Level:** B1
**Part of speech:** noun
**IPA (US):** /ˈkeɪ.ɑs/
**IPA (UK):** /ˈkeɪ.ɒs/
**Frequency rank:** 3545

## Meanings
1. A state of complete confusion and disorder.
2. In science, the behaviour of systems that are extremely sensitive to small changes.

## Examples
- The storm left the airport in total chaos.
- Weather is a classic example of chaos in nature.

## Synonyms
- disorder

## Antonyms
- cosmos
- order

## Derived Forms
- antichaos
- antichaotic
- antichaotropic
- chaogenous
- chaoite
- chaolite
- chaological
- chaologist
- chaology
- chaomancy
- chaophilia
- chaophilic

## Related Forms
- chao-
- discord
- entropy

## Roots and Affixes
- Root: chaos
- Root: χάος

## Etymology
From Latin chaos (“chaos”), from Ancient Greek χάος (kháos).

## AI Etymology
chaos is a noun and name. It is from Latin chaos (“chaos”), from Ancient Greek χάος (kháos). Historical forms in the chain include chaos (Latin) and χάος (Ancient Greek). Current senses include a state of complete confusion and disorder and in science, the behaviour of systems that are extremely sensitive to small changes. Derived forms include antichaos, antichaotic, antichaotropic, chaogenous, and chaoite. Related words include chao-, discord, and entropy.

## Topics
- Abstract Ideas

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