orderly

¹or·der·ly

adjective \-lē\

Definition of ORDERLY

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

Examples of ORDERLY

1. an orderly arrangement of pictures
2. She sorted the information into orderly categories.
3. Outside the theater, an orderly line of people waited to buy tickets.
4. an orderly crowd of protesters
5. Please exit the building in an orderly fashion.

First Known Use of ORDERLY

1570

Related to ORDERLY

Synonyms

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

Antonyms

disheveled (or dishevelled), disordered, disorderly, messy, mussed, mussy, sloven, slovenly, unkempt, untidy

Related Words

dapper, natty, saucy, smart, spiffy, spruce; immaculate, spick-and-span (or spic-and-span), spotless; rakish, sleek, streamlined, taut; organized, straight, systematic

Near Antonyms

scruffy, seedy, shabby, slipshod, sloppy; dirty, filthy, foul, nasty, sordid, squalid; dowdy, frowsy (or frowzy), rumpled, tousled, tumbled; disorganized, unsystematic

²orderly

noun

plural orderlies

Definition of ORDERLY

1

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

2

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

First Known Use of ORDERLY

1781

or·der·ly

noun \-lē\   (Medical Dictionary)

plural ; or·der·lies

Medical Definition of ORDERLY

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