arrange

verb

ar·​range ə-ˈrānj 

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.

arranger

ə-ˈrān-jər 

noun

Synonyms

• agree (on)
• decide
• fix
• set
• settle

Choose the Right Synonym for 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

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 on the Web

With no viable means of leaving the base, Moscow requested that the base's command arrange an immediate evacuation to Russia. —David Brennan, ABC News, 16 Dec. 2024

The exhibition also gives visitors a chance to arrange their own bento box with the replica treats. —Rosa Rahimi, CNN, 16 Dec. 2024

In a post shared to Reddit, the woman writes that her 56-year-old coworker arranges an annual staff holiday gift to her company's three top executives each year. —Virginia Chamlee, People.com, 14 Dec. 2024

The tour ends at the school, with long desks arranged according to the Lancastrian educational model of the 19th century. —Fernanda Pérez Sánchez, Vogue, 14 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English arengen "to draw up in ranks," borrowed from Anglo-French arenger (continental Old French arengier) "to draw up in ranks, put in proper order," from a-, prefix forming transitive verbs (going back to Latin ad- ad-) + rengier, ranger "to set in ranks," derivative of renc, ranc "line of soldiers, jousting lists, line or rank of persons or things" — more at rank entry 1

Note: Though appearing once as Middle English arengen, and in early Scots, the verb arrange is very rare in English literature before the late eighteenth century and is in effect a reborrowing of modern French arranger (the regular outcome of Old French arengier), to which it owes its current meanings.

First Known Use

1601, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing arrange

• pre-arrange

Kids Definition

arrange

verb

ar·​range ə-ˈrānj 

arranged; arranging

1

: to put in order

especially : to put in a particular order

arrange books on shelves

2

: to make plans for

arrange a program

3

: to come to an agreement about : settle

arrange a time for the meeting

4

: to make a musical arrangement of

arranger noun