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

• tidy
• neat
• tidied

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

Radiolarian skeletons are typically constructed of an orderly mesh of rigid polygons. —Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2025

Employees who are not involved in performing critical functions such as those related to the safety of human life and the protection of property or working on the orderly suspension of operations were being placed in a furlough status without pay. —Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2025

Noun

Mangione has been working as an orderly in the prison, responsible for cleaning showers and common areas. —Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 19 Sep. 2025

An orderly walked past the room where my psychiatrist and I were sitting, and then walked past again. —Miriam Toews september 3, Literary Hub, 3 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1553, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Noun

1781, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for orderly

• disorderly

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)