orderly
/ˈɔː.də.li/ IELTSAcademic
adjective
Neat, well arranged, and under control. An orderly place or system is easy to follow because things are in the right place or happen in a clear way.
- Please keep the files in an orderly folder.
- The queue was orderly and moved quickly.
- Her notes are neat and orderly.
noun
A hospital worker who helps nurses and doctors with practical tasks. In older British English, it can also mean a soldier who carries messages.
- The orderly brought the patient a chair.
- An orderly helped clean the ward.
- The doctor asked the orderly to wait outside.
Adinary Nuance
Orderly is close to neat, tidy, and organised, but it suggests a stronger sense of control and clear arrangement. Use neat for appearance, tidy for being clean and put away, and organised for good planning. Orderly often fits systems, lines, crowds, and workplaces better than personal style.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- ngăn nắp
- Spanish
- ordenado
- Chinese
- 整齐的
- Japanese
- 整然とした
- Korean
- 질서정연한
Etymology
Orderly comes from order, with the ending -ly, used in English since the 1500s. It first meant 'in good order' and later also became a noun for a hospital assistant.
Common phrases
an orderly queuean orderly processan orderly roomkeep things orderly
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is orderly formal or informal?
- It is neutral and common in formal writing, exams, and everyday English.
- What is the difference between orderly and tidy?
- Tidy usually means clean and put away. Orderly means arranged in a clear, controlled way.
- Can I use orderly for people?
- Yes, but it usually describes behaviour, like an orderly crowd or an orderly child.
- What does orderly mean in a hospital?
- It is a hospital worker who helps staff with basic tasks.