havoc
Intermediate (B1)
IPA: /ˈhævək/
KK: /ˈhævək/
noun
Definition
A situation of great disorder, confusion, or destruction.
Example
The storm caused havoc in the city, leaving many homes damaged.
Conversation
Did you hear about the party last night?
Yeah, I heard it caused quite a bit of havoc in the neighborhood.
It must have been wild if people were complaining about it.
For sure! They said it was like a tornado hit the place.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
chaos
turmoil
devastation
Antonyms
order
calm
peace
transitive verb
Definition
To cause great destruction or damage to something.
Example
The storm wreaked havoc on the small town, leaving many homes damaged.
Tense Forms
Past: havoc'd
Past Participle: havoc'd
Conversation
Did you hear about the storm last night?
Yeah, it really caused havoc in the neighborhood.
I saw some trees down on my street this morning.
Root Explanation
Havoc originates from Old French 'havot' (meaning devastation or destruction), which itself comes from the Latin 'avocare' (meaning to call away). The word 'havoc' refers to widespread destruction or chaos, often in a violent context.
Memory Tip
Imagine a scene of devastation where things are 'called away' or lost — that's what havoc means.
Visually Confused Words
No commonly confused words.