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

• antiseptic
• bandbox
• crisp
• groomed
• kempt
• neat
• picked up
• prim
• shipshape
• smug
• snug
• tidied
• tidy
• trig
• trim
• uncluttered
• well-groomed

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

Resolution of intense congressional conflicts over spending that have led to shutdowns is aided, indirectly but powerfully, by the evidence of public unhappiness with the practice of not handling appropriations in an orderly, adult manner. —Arthur I. Cyr, Chicago Tribune, 19 Mar. 2025

The American frontier is symbolized by the independent cowboy; Canada's by the orderly Mountie. —Steve Forbes, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025

Noun

Suddenly, two orderlies came running to the door in a panic, thinking there’d been a medical emergency. —Wash Westmoreland, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Feb. 2025

Jelly Roll previously made a cameo as himself in the series Tulsa King, but in this new Fire Country role, the Tennessee native will be portraying a character, a hospital orderly named Noah. —Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 31 Jan. 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)