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organize

/ˈɔː.ɡə.naɪz/
IELTSAcademic
verb

To arrange people, things, or events in a clear, planned way. It can also mean to plan and run an activity or group.

  • We need to organize the files by date.
  • She organized the school trip.
  • They organized a meeting for Friday.

Adinary Nuance

Organize is broader and more practical than arrange or sort. Use sort for putting things into groups, and arrange for placing things neatly or in order. Use organize when you mean planning, arranging, and making something work well together.

In other languages

Vietnamese
tổ chức
Spanish
organizar
Chinese
组织
Japanese
整理する
Korean
정리하다

Etymology

Organize came into English in the late 1600s from French organiser, based on Greek organon, meaning “tool” or “instrument.” The idea behind the word is making parts work together well.

Common phrases

organize a meetingorganize filesorganize an eventorganize your thoughts

Synonyms

Related words

Frequently asked questions

Is organize more about planning or arranging?
It can mean both. It often means planning something and making it run smoothly.
What is the difference between organize and arrange?
Arrange usually means placing things in order. Organize often means planning or putting a bigger system in order.
Is organize common in business writing?
Yes. It is very common in business, school, and official writing.