chaotic
adj. · n.-
1 disorganized (adj.) B2 Upper Intermediatecompletely confused and without any order.
characterised by a state of total confusion and lack of order; extremely disorganized.
ExampleThe morning at the airport was chaotic because many flights were cancelled at once.
ExampleThe transition to the new software was chaotic, as staff had not been properly trained and technical glitches occurred throughout the first week.
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2 mathematics/science (adj.) C1 Advanced Technical Mathdescribing a system where a tiny change at the start can cause a huge, unpredictable result later.
relating to a system whose behaviour is highly sensitive to initial conditions, such that small perturbations lead to vastly different outcomes.
ExampleWeather is a chaotic system, which is why it is hard to predict exactly.
ExampleThe researcher argued that the market's chaotic nature makes long-term financial forecasting fundamentally impossible regardless of computing power.
UsageOften used to describe weather patterns or complex physical systems.
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3 fantasy/gaming (adj.) C1 Advanced Slangdescribing a character who does not follow laws or rules and values personal freedom above all else.
denoting a character alignment that rejects social order, laws, and tradition in favour of individual liberty or randomness.
ExampleHe decided to play a chaotic character who ignores the king's laws.
ExampleThe party struggled to stay together because one player insisted on making chaotic choices that constantly alerted the guards.
UsageCommonly used in tabletop role-playing games like Dungeons & Dragons.
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4 a chaotic person (n.) C2 Proficiency Informal Slanga person or character who acts in a disorganized or unpredictable way.
a person or fictional entity characterised by a chaotic disposition or alignment.
ExampleIn the game, the chaotics usually cause the most trouble for the group.
ExampleThe narrative pits the forces of order against the chaotics, who seek to dismantle the ancient empire's rigid structures.
From Late Latin chaoticus (“of or pertaining to the primordial state of the universe”), from Latin chaos (“chaos”) + -ticus (suffix forming adjectives from nouns); analysable as chaos + -otic. Doublet of gassy.