arrange

play

verb ar·range \ə-ˈrānj\

Definition of arrange

arranged

;

arranging

transitive verb
1 : to put into a proper order or into a correct or suitable sequence, relationship, or adjustment arrange flowers in a vase arrange cards alphabetically
2 : to make preparations for : plan arranged a reception for the visitor
3a : to adapt (a musical composition) by scoring for voices or instruments other than those for which originally writtenb : orchestrate
4 : to bring about an agreement or understanding concerning : settle arrange an exchange of war prisoners
intransitive verb
1 : to bring about an agreement or understanding She arranged to have a table at the restaurant.
2 : to make preparations : plan He arranged for a vacation with his family.

arranger

play \ə-ˈrān-jər\ noun

See arrange defined for English-language learners

See arrange defined for kids

Examples of arrange in a Sentence

She arranged her pictures on her desk.
He arranged some fresh fruit neatly on a plate.
arranging flowers in a vase
We arranged and rearranged the order several times.
She arranged her hair on top of her head.
Please arrange a meeting with your partners.
I think we can arrange a deal.
Let's arrange our schedules so that we can meet for lunch.
You'll need to arrange transportation from the airport.
He arranged her last two albums.

Recent Examples of arrange from the Web

Right now, Catholic insurance companies do not offer coverage for birth control, though some do arrange coverage through outside providers.

— vera papisova, Teen Vogue, "Pope Francis Says He's Cool With Birth Control Now", 19 Feb. 2016
Iceland has nicely solved that problem by planting the Blue Lagoon right next to the airport and arranging shuttle buses that will ferry travelers there every fifteen minutes.

— cnt editors, CNT, "Tourist Trap or Must-See? Debating Iceland's Blue Lagoon", 20 Jan. 2016
Arranged around a sink in the lab where the team washes up, clean animal organs in different size jars await attention: livers, kidneys, an aorta, heart valves.

— maggie galehouse, Houston Chronicle, "Saving lives with help from pigs and cells", 28 Jan. 2013
The United States Information Agency helped arrange for an American singer, Billy Stephens, to give a concert in Baghdad.

— robert d. kaplan, The Atlantic, "Tales from the Bazaar", 6 Aug. 1992
Arrange the prepared apples in a dish or casserole and surround with the cold water or apple cider.

— carole sugarman, Washington Post, "EDNA LEWIS'S SEARCH FOR TASTE", 14 Feb. 1990
As arranged for the 92nd Street Y’s Harkness Dance Festival, the fragments blend physical commitment with artistic risk, and offer a delightfully bewildering blurring of the difference between irony and sincerity.

— The New Yorker, "Keely Garfield Dance", 26 Feb. 1928

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'arrange'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of arrange

Middle English arangen, from Middle French arenger, from a- + renger to set in ranks, from renc, ranc row — more at rank

First Known Use: 1601

Synonym Discussion of arrange

order, arrange, marshal, organize, systematize, methodize mean to put persons or things into their proper places in relation to each other. order suggests a straightening out so as to eliminate confusion. ordered her business affairs arrange implies a setting in sequence, relationship, or adjustment. arranged the files numerically marshal suggests gathering and arranging in preparation for a particular operation or effective use. marshaling the facts for argument organize implies arranging so that the whole aggregate works as a unit with each element having a proper function. organized the volunteers into teams systematize implies arranging according to a predetermined scheme. systematized billing procedures methodize suggests imposing an orderly procedure rather than a fixed scheme. methodizes every aspect of daily living

ARRANGE Defined for English Language Learners

arrange

play

verb

Definition of arrange for English Language Learners

: to move and organize (things) into a particular order or position
: to give a particular order or position to the parts of (something)
: to organize the details of something before it happens : to plan (something)

ARRANGE Defined for Kids

arrange

play

verb ar·range \ə-ˈrānj\

Definition of arrange for Students

arranged

;

arranging

1 : to put in order and especially a particular order The books were arranged by subject.
2 : to make plans for arrange a meeting
3 : to come to an agreement about : settle arrange a truce
4 : to to write or change (a piece of music) to suit particular voices or instruments