Mayhem/ˈmeɪhem/ Definition 1 of 3Pro Tip 1/3Negative Connotation Mayhem implies something bad and undesirable has happened, leading to disarray. After the concert, fans left behind a mayhem of litter and debris. Pro Tip 2/3Metaphorical Use People sometimes use 'mayhem' to describe situations that are very disorganized, not just chaotic. With three toddlers, bedtime is pure mayhem. Pro Tip 3/3Not Always Physical 'Mayhem' can describe emotional or virtual chaos, not just physical confusion. Social media was mayhem during the celebrity scandal.