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 of orderly

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

The findings also said that there were at least 39 adults at Camp Mystic's Guadalupe-adjacent camp — not counting the teenage counselors — who could have performed an orderly flood evacuation had one been planned and executed. —David Chiu, PEOPLE, 20 June 2026

The few retailers left inside the mall, including anchor tenant JCPenney, fought to stay open, telling a Cook County judge this spring that a quick shutdown was unnecessary and wouldn’t leave enough time to wind down their businesses in an orderly manner. —Brian J. Rogal, Chicago Tribune, 20 June 2026

Noun

Suddenly, orderlies are telling her to forfeit her sharp objects. —Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 5 June 2026

Many do hire more doctors and nurses and orderlies in the ER to confront the overflow. —Elisabeth Rosenthal, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2026

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)