disarray
Intermediate (B1)
IPA: /ˌdɪsəˈreɪ/
KK: /dɪsəˈreɪ/
noun
Definition
A situation where things are not organized or are in a state of confusion.
Example
After the party, the living room was in complete disarray.
Conversation
Have you seen my room? It's in complete disarray right now!
Yeah, it looks like a tornado hit it!
I really need to clean it up before my parents visit.
That sounds like a good plan; they won't be happy seeing it like this!
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
chaos
disorder
confusion
Antonyms
order
organization
arrangement
transitive verb
Definition
To cause a state of disorder or confusion in something.
Example
The sudden change in plans disarrayed the entire event schedule.
Tense Forms
Past: disarrayed
Past Participle: disarrayed
Conversation
I can't believe how messy your room is right now.
I know, it's in complete disarray after the party last night.
You should really clean it up before your parents come back.
Root Explanation
Disarray is formed from "dis-" (meaning apart or away) and "array" (from Old French *arayer*, meaning to arrange or put in order). The word describes a state of being out of order or not arranged properly.
Memory Tip
Think of being 'apart' ('dis-') from a proper 'arrangement' ('array') — that's why disarray means a lack of order.
Visually Confused Words
misarray