disarray

/ˌˈdɪsəˌreɪ/

/dɪsəˈreɪ/

Other forms: disarrayed; disarraying

If something is confused or disorganized, use the noun disarray, like the disarray that follows your little brother everywhere he goes because he spills everything and never puts away his toys.

Combine the prefix dis-, meaning “lack of,” with array, which derives from the Old French word areer ("to put in order"), and... you’ve got a mess on your hands — or a lack of order. That's disarray. Whether it’s your plans, your kitchen, your workplace, or your hair, the noun disarray can be used to describe anything that is characterized by disorder, untidiness, or confusion.

Definitions of disarray

1. noun

   untidiness (especially of clothing and appearance)
   synonyms: disorderliness

   type of:

   messiness, untidiness

   the trait of being untidy and messy
2. noun

   a mental state characterized by a lack of clear and orderly thought and behavior
   synonyms: confusedness, confusion, mental confusion, muddiness

   types:

   disorientation

   confusion (usually transient) about where you are and how to proceed; uncertainty as to direction

   distraction

   mental turmoil

   daze, fog, haze

   confusion characterized by lack of clarity

   half-cock

   confusion resulting from lack of preparation

   jamais vu

   the experience of being unfamiliar with a person or situation that is actually very familiar; associated with certain types of epilepsy

   bafflement, befuddlement, bemusement, bewilderment, mystification, obfuscation, puzzlement

   confusion resulting from failure to understand

   perplexity

   trouble or confusion resulting from complexity

   culture shock

   a condition of disorientation affecting someone who is suddenly exposed to an unfamiliar culture or way of life or set of attitudes

   closed book, enigma, mystery, secret

   something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained

   maze, snarl, tangle

   something jumbled or confused

   dilemma, quandary

   state of uncertainty or perplexity especially as requiring a choice between equally unfavorable options

   type of:

   cognitive state, state of mind

   the state of a person's cognitive processes
3. verb

   bring disorder to
   synonyms: disorder

   types:

   mess, mess up

   make a mess of or create disorder in

   derange, perturb, throw out of kilter

   throw into great confusion or disorder

   disarrange

   disturb the arrangement of

   jumble, scramble, throw together

   bring into random order

   randomise, randomize

   arrange in random order

   tumble

   throw together in a confused mass

   type of:

   alter, change, modify

   cause to change; make different; cause a transformation