havoc
n. uncountablen. a situation where there is a lot of confusion, damage, or lack of order. You use this word when something causes a big mess or ruins a plan.
n. widespread destruction, devastation, or disorder. Often used in the context of chaotic disruption rather than physical ruins alone.
The storm caused havoc in the city center.
A sudden computer virus played havoc with the company's internal scheduling system for several days.
The introduction of invasive species can wreak havoc on local ecosystems, often leading to the rapid decline of native flora and fauna.
From Middle English havok, havyk, from Old French havok in the phrase crier havok (“cry havoc”) a signal to soldiers to seize plunder, from Old French crier (“cry out, shout”) + havot (“pillaging, looting”), of obscure origin. Probably from a derivative of Old French haf, hef (“hook”), from Frankish haf, habbjā, happjā (“pruning-hook, scythe”), derived from Proto-Germanic *habjaną (“to take up, lift”), related to Old French havee (“handful”), Old French havet (“pruning-hook”), Old High German habba, heppa (“pruning-hook, scythe”), modern German Hippe (“billhook”). If so, then also related to English heave and doublet of hatchet.
Commonly follows the verbs 'wreak', 'play', or 'cause'.
The storm caused many havocs.The storm caused much havoc.Havoc is uncountable and cannot be used in the plural form.