noun
entropy
EHNT-ruh-pee
noun
1
In physics, a measure of the disorder or randomness in a system.
"The universe's entropy is always increasing, according to the second law of thermodynamics."
2
More generally, a tendency for things to fall into chaos or disorder if left alone.
"Without regular upkeep, the old house slowly succumbed to entropy."
How to Use Entropy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA scientific measure of disorder — and, loosely, the natural drift of anything toward chaos over time.
Common pairings
increase in entropy
the law of entropy
succumb to entropy
Word Forms
entropies plural
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The universe's _____ is always increasing, according to the second law of thermodynamics.
Etymology
Coined in 1865 by physicist Rudolf Clausius from Greek en- ("in") and trope ("transformation"), modeled on the word "energy."