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

Beyond the basket, of course, things weren’t so orderly. —Jackson Arn, The New Yorker, 7 Oct. 2024

The dream is a posh apartment or an orderly, single-family home with a bathroom for each occupant, a washer and dryer, and a two-car garage. —Lola Milholland, TIME, 3 Sep. 2024

Noun

Kelce is dressed in what appears to be an all-white uniform of sorts, not unlike something an orderly might wear. —Lauren Huff, EW.com, 2 Oct. 2024

Diaz plays Tony, the most sadistic of the Institute’s orderlies, who delights in wielding his power over the children. —Denise Petski, Deadline, 23 Sep. 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)