orderly

¹or·der·ly

adj \-lē\

Definition of ORDERLY

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

Examples of ORDERLY

1. an orderly arrangement of pictures
2. She sorted the information into orderly categories.
3. Outside the theater, an orderly line of people waited to buy tickets.
4. an orderly crowd of protesters
5. Please exit the building in an orderly fashion.

First Known Use of ORDERLY

1570

Related to ORDERLY

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

Antonyms: disheveled (or dishevelled), disordered, disorderly, messy, mussed, mussy, sloven, slovenly, unkempt, untidy

Related Words: dapper, natty, saucy, smart, spiffy, spruce; immaculate, spick-and-span (or spic-and-span), spotless; rakish, sleek, streamlined, taut; organized, straight, systematic

Near Antonyms: scruffy, seedy, shabby, slipshod, sloppy; dirty, filthy, foul, nasty, sordid, squalid; dowdy, frowsy (or frowzy), rumpled, tousled, tumbled; disorganized, unsystematic

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