arrange

verb ar·range \ ə-ˈrānj \

Updated on: 21 Apr 2018

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

3 a : to adapt (a musical composition) by scoring for voices or instruments other than those for which originally written

b : 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.

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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

In the process, a couple of community meetings will be arranged this spring and summer to get public input on the direction of the vision, Fincher said.

— julie gallant, Ramona Sentinel, "Big dreams hatching for intergenerational campus," 18 Apr. 2018
Call 860-974-3379 to schedule delivery at other times or to arrange for item pick up.

— Courant Community, "Community News For The Putnam Edition," 17 Apr. 2018
The international visitors came to Ellicott City as part of a program arranged for the U.S. Department of State.

— janene holzberg, baltimoresun.com, "Ellicott City business advises international team how to rebound from natural disaster," 13 Apr. 2018
As for the aesthetic, long tables—arranged in a square around an outdoor courtyard—were covered in white tablecloths that glowed magenta thanks to the lighting.

— brooke porter katz, Harper's BAZAAR, "Queen of the Desert: Henrietta Tiefenthaler & Oli Wennink's Wedding in Morocco," 11 Apr. 2018
Most landed on DeConcini, who had arranged the meetings and had other close ties to Keating, including $50 million in loans from Keating to DeConcini's aides.

— azcentral, "John McCain gets into 'a hell of a mess' with the Keating Five scandal," 2 Apr. 2018
Ecotrust and the Phillippis ran afoul of state tax credit usage rules when the nonprofit arranged and failed to disclose a one-day, $4.9 million loan within the complex webbing of the mill financing plan.

— gordon r. friedman, OregonLive.com, "Conservationists ask Kate Brown to claw back taxpayer money from failed sawmill project," 30 Mar. 2018
And the Ritz-Carlton team also arranged for an exclusive Tea Ceremony by Candlelight at Saigyo-an, the former residence of 12th-century poet and samurai Saijyohoshi, who famously developed a tea ceremony tradition.

— alex postman, Condé Nast Traveler, "A Mother and Son Search for Zen in Kyoto," 29 Mar. 2018
Newman, a junior, also thanked Principal Jake Gourley, who arranged for a loudspeaker for the walkout.

— donna vickroy, Daily Southtown, "'We all want a voice': Southland students say #ENOUGH through walkouts, remembrances," 14 Mar. 2018

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 ¹rank

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1601

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

See Words from the same year

arrange Synonyms

Synonyms

array, classify, codify, dispose, draw up, lay out, marshal (also marshall), order, organize, range, systematize;

Antonyms

derange, disarrange, disarray, disorder, mess (up), muss (up), rumple, upset;

unscramble;

align (also aline), cue, line, line up, queue;

alphabetize, file, prioritize, sequence;

emplace, place, set;

display, map (out), set out;

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.