chaos theory

== English == === Etymology === From chaos + theory. === Pronunciation === (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˌkeɪɒs ˈθɪəɹi/ (General American) IPA(key): /ˌkeɪˌɑs ˈθiəɹi/, /-ˈθɪɹi/ Rhymes: -ɪəɹi Hyphenation: cha‧os the‧ory === Noun === chaos theory (countable and uncountable, plural chaos theories) (mathematics, sciences, uncountable) The study of chaos or disorder in systems, specifically iterative non-linear systems in which arbitrarily small variations in initial conditions become magnified over time, and where within apparent randomness there are underlying patterns; (countable) one of such theories. ==== Derived terms ==== chaos theorist ==== Related terms ==== chaos chaotic chaotician ==== Translations ==== ==== See also ==== butterfly effect fractal === Further reading === chaos theory on Wikipedia.Wikipedia “chaos theory, n.”, in OED Online ⁠, Oxford: Oxford University Press, March 2026. “chaos theory, n.”, in Lexico, Dictionary.com; Oxford University Press, 2019–2022.