chaotic

Meanings

1. 1adjectivecomparable

   In a state of complete confusion, with no order or control.

   Grammar: Can come before a noun or after a verb: a chaotic scene, the room was chaotic.

   Patterns

   • a chaotic situation
   • become chaotic

   The airport was chaotic after the storm.

   Her chaotic schedule left no time to rest.

   The first week at the new school felt chaotic.

2. 2adjectivenot comparabletechnicalmathematics

   Behaving in a random, unpredictable way that is hard to model, as in some systems studied in science and mathematics.

   Grammar: Used mostly before a noun in science: a chaotic system.

   Patterns

   • a chaotic system
   • chaotic behavior

   Weather is a chaotic system, so long forecasts are unreliable.

   The pendulum showed chaotic motion.

   Small changes produce chaotic results in the model.

Word forms

Common combinations

chaotic scene

Reporters described a chaotic scene outside the stadium.

utterly chaotic

The kitchen was utterly chaotic at lunchtime.

chaotic situation

Nurses managed a chaotic situation calmly.

chaotic traffic

Chaotic traffic made us late.

chaotic system

The climate is a chaotic system.

Synonyms and how they differ

disorderly

Disorderly suggests rule-breaking or messiness, but chaotic suggests a complete loss of control.

messy

Messy is informal and often means untidy, while chaotic implies confusion that is hard to manage.

turbulent

Turbulent suggests violent change or unrest, often over time, whereas chaotic stresses lack of order.

disorganized

Disorganized blames poor planning, while chaotic describes the result.

Opposites

Word family

chaos noun

complete disorder and confusion

chaotically adverb

in a disordered way

chaos theory noun

the study of systems whose behavior is highly sensitive to starting conditions

Commonly confused: chaotic or cacophonous?

Practice

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