Ordered

'ɔː(r)də(r)d

verbBeginnerVery CommonGeneral

Definitions

2 meanings
1

To instruct or command someone to do something.

'ɔː(r)də(r)d

verbneutralBeginner
General

To give an authoritative command or instruction.

The teacher ordered the students to be quiet.

💡 Simply: Imagine your parents telling you to clean your room. 'Ordered' means they told you to do it, and you have to!

👶 For kids: When you tell someone to do something, like 'I ordered you to clean your toys!'

More Examples

2

He ordered a pizza for delivery.

3

The judge ordered the defendant to pay a fine.

How It's Used

Military

"The general ordered the troops to advance."

Business

"The manager ordered the team to complete the project by Friday."

2

Arranged or organized in a specific sequence or manner.

'ɔː(r)də(r)d

adjectiveneutralmedium
General

Arranged in a particular sequence or pattern.

The books were arranged in ordered rows on the shelf.

💡 Simply: Imagine your toys are put away in a certain order, like by color or size. 'Ordered' means they're arranged this way.

👶 For kids: When things are put in a special line or pattern, like crayons in order by color!

More Examples

2

The ordered list made the steps clear and easy to follow.

3

The data was presented in an ordered fashion to show the trends.

How It's Used

Mathematics

"The ordered pair (2,3) is different from (3,2)."

Science

"The ordered structure of a crystal."

Tip:Think of items lined up in a specific way, not randomly.

From Middle English *ordren*, from Old French *ordener* ("to arrange, order"), from Latin *ordinare* ("to set in order, arrange"), from *ordo* ("row, rank, order").

The word 'order' has been used in the English language since the 13th century, evolving from its use in religious contexts to its use in a variety of fields, including law, business, and science.

Memory tip

Think of the word as a 'request' that must be followed.

orderdordred

Usage

40%Spoken
60%Written