adj · adv · noun · 12 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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General-American:/ˈɔɹdɚli/
Received-Pronunciation:/ˈɔːdəli/
US:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
CMU ARPABET:AO1 R D ER0 L IY0
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
adj
Meaning 1
Neat and tidy; possessing order.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
He has always kept an orderly kitchen, with nothing out of place.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
adj
Meaning 2
Methodical or systematic.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
We live in an orderly universe, where rules govern both the movements of planets and the binding of molecules.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
3
adj
Meaning 3
Peaceful; well-behaved.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
An orderly gathering of citizens stood on the corner awaiting the bus.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
4
adj
Meaning 4
Being on duty; keeping order; conveying orders.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
5
adv
Meaning 5
According to good order or practice; appropriately, in a well-behaved or orderly (adjective) way.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: archaic
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
6
adv
Meaning 6
In order; in a particular order or succession; with a suitable arrangement.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: obsolete
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
7
noun
Meaning 7
A hospital attendant given a variety of non-medical duties.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
8
noun
Meaning 8
A soldier who carries out minor tasks for a superior officer.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Topics: government, military, politics, war
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: batman
Antonyms: none provided
9
adjective
Meaning 9
devoid of violence or disruption
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
an orderly crowd confronted the president
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: disorderly
10
adjective satellite
Meaning 10
clean or organized
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
her neat dress
a neat room
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: neat
Antonyms: none provided
11
noun
Meaning 11
a male hospital attendant who has general duties that do not involve the medical treatment of patients
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: hospital attendant
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: attendant, attender, tender
12
noun
Meaning 12
a soldier who serves as an attendant to a superior officer
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h2er-der. Proto-Italic *ordōder. Latin ōrdinem Old French ordneder. Middle English ordre English order Proto-Indo-European *leyg-der. Proto-Germanic *līkąder. Proto-Germanic *-līkaz Proto-West Germanic *-līk Old English -līċ Middle English -ly English -ly English orderly From order + -ly.
Across languages
Translations
93 source translations are retained for this English entry.
Armenian:
կոկիկ
(kokik)
— neat; tidy; possessing order
Bulgarian:
акуратен
(akuraten)
— neat; tidy; possessing order
Bulgarian:
подреден
(podreden)
— neat; tidy; possessing order
Cebuano:
hapsay
— neat; tidy; possessing order
Danish:
ordentlig
— neat; tidy; possessing order
Danish:
velordnet
— neat; tidy; possessing order
Dutch:
ordelijk
— neat; tidy; possessing order
Finnish:
järjestynyt
— neat; tidy; possessing order
French:
ordonné
— neat; tidy; possessing order
German:
ordentlich
— neat; tidy; possessing order
German:
geordnet
— neat; tidy; possessing order
Ancient Greek:
κόσμιος
(kósmios)
— neat; tidy; possessing order
Ancient Greek:
εὔτακτος
(eútaktos)
— neat; tidy; possessing order
Ancient Greek:
εὔκοσμος
(eúkosmos)
— neat; tidy; possessing order
Hindi:
क्रमबद्ध
(krambaddh)
— neat; tidy; possessing order
Hindi:
व्यवस्थित
(vyavasthit)
— neat; tidy; possessing order
Hungarian:
rendes
— neat; tidy; possessing order
Hungarian:
rendszerető
— neat; tidy; possessing order
Icelandic:
skipulegur
— neat; tidy; possessing order
Icelandic:
reglulegur
— neat; tidy; possessing order
Italian:
ordinato
— neat; tidy; possessing order
Japanese:
整然
(seizen)
— neat; tidy; possessing order
Central Kurdish:
ڕێکوپێکی
(rêkupêkî)
— neat; tidy; possessing order
Macedonian:
у́реден
(úreden)
— neat; tidy; possessing order
Russian:
опря́тный
(oprjátnyj)
— neat; tidy; possessing order
Russian:
аккура́тный
(akkurátnyj)
— neat; tidy; possessing order