Haywire: meaning, definitions and examples

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haywire

 

[ ˈheɪˌwaɪər ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

general use

The term 'haywire' is often used to describe something that is out of control or not functioning properly. It conveys a sense of chaos or disarray. This word originated from the actions taken with haywire, a wire used to bind bales of hay, often resulting in tangled messes. In a modern context, you might hear someone say their plans went haywire, indicating unexpected complications. The term is frequently employed in informal speech.

Synonyms

chaotic, disorderly, unruly

Examples of usage

  • My schedule went haywire after the meeting was canceled.
  • The project fell apart when the budget went haywire.
  • When the computer crashed, everything went haywire.
  • His emotions were haywire after hearing the news.

Translations

Translations of the word "haywire" in other languages:

🇵🇹 descontrolado

🇮🇳 बिगड़ना

🇩🇪 durcheinander

🇮🇩 berantakan

🇺🇦 безлад

🇵🇱 chaotyczny

🇯🇵 混乱した

🇫🇷 désordonné

🇪🇸 descontrolado

🇹🇷 düzen dışı

🇰🇷 엉망인

🇸🇦 غير منظم

🇨🇿 nepořádný

🇸🇰 chaotický

🇨🇳 混乱的

🇸🇮 nered

🇮🇸 óreiða

🇰🇿 бұзылған

🇬🇪 არეულობა

🇦🇿 qarışıqlıq

🇲🇽 descontrolado

Word origin

The origin of 'haywire' can be traced back to the early 20th century in the United States, where it referred to a type of wire used to bind hay bales. The wire was often seen as unreliable and prone to tangling, leading to a chaotic situation when it broke or misfunctioned. As a metaphor, the term 'haywire' began to take on a broader meaning, describing anything that was out of control or dysfunctional. It reflects human experiences where things do not go as planned, evoking a relatable sense of frustration. Over the years, it has made its way into colloquial speech, becoming synonymous with disorder and confusion. Today, it is commonly used across various forms of communication, from casual conversations to creative writing.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #34,615 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.