orderly

1 of 2

adjective

or·​der·​ly ˈȯr-dər-lē 

1

a(1)

: arranged or disposed in some order or pattern : regular

orderly rows of houses

(2)

: marked by order : tidy

keeps an orderly desk

b

: governed by law : regulated

an orderly universe

c

: methodical

an orderly mind

2

: well behaved : peaceful

an orderly crowd

orderly adverb

orderly

2 of 2

noun

plural orderlies

1

: a soldier assigned to perform various services (such as carrying messages) for a superior officer

2

: a hospital attendant who does routine or heavy work (such as cleaning, carrying supplies, or moving patients)

Synonyms

Adjective

• antiseptic
• bandbox
• crisp
• groomed
• kempt
• neat
• picked up
• prim
• shipshape
• smug
• snug
• tidied
• tidy
• trig
• trim
• uncluttered
• well-groomed

Examples of orderly in a Sentence

Adjective

an orderly arrangement of pictures

She sorted the information into orderly categories.

Outside the theater, an orderly line of people waited to buy tickets.

an orderly crowd of protesters

Please exit the building in an orderly fashion.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

What had formed on the narrow little patch of dirt in Albuquerque was a recapitulation of the most basic human instincts at the heart of ordinary everyday life; when faced with uncertainty and danger, people naturally cling together and form communities which become more complex and orderly. —Roger Valdez, Forbes, 5 Dec. 2024

Of course, Geragos also hoped the press would be orderly in talking to senior Menendez family members who testified today, but that civility collapsed pretty quickly as the cameras chased family members on the courthouse steps. —Dominic Patten, Deadline, 25 Nov. 2024

Noun

Finally, did Kayce really need to choke out an orderly so as to explain how John might have been subdued? —Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 29 Nov. 2024

Even during a heatwave, would Ben send two surgeons out for ice rather than an orderly? —Charlie Mason, TVLine, 22 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1553, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Noun

1781, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

orderly

1 of 2 adjective

or·​der·​ly ˈȯrd-ər-lē 

1

a

: arranged in some order or pattern

orderly rows of houses

b

: tidy entry 1 sense 1

kept my desk orderly

c

: regulated by law or system

an orderly universe

d

: methodical sense 2

an orderly thinker

2

: well behaved

an orderly crowd

orderliness noun

orderly adverb

orderly

2 of 2 noun

plural orderlies

1

: a soldier who carries messages and performs services for an officer

2

: a person who waits on others, cleans, and does general work in a hospital

Medical Definition

orderly

noun

or·​der·​ly -lē 

plural orderlies

: a hospital attendant who does routine or heavy work (as carrying supplies or moving patients)