butterfly effect

Other forms: butterfly effects

Definitions of butterfly effect
  1. noun
    the phenomenon whereby a small change at one place in a complex system can have large effects elsewhere, e.g., a butterfly flapping its wings in Rio de Janeiro might change the weather in Chicago
    see moresee less
    type of:
    consequence, effect, event, issue, outcome, result, upshot
    a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
Cite this entry
Style:
MLA
  • MLA
  • APA
  • Chicago

Copy citation
DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘butterfly effect'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
Word Family