orderly

comparative more orderly · superlative most orderly · alternative obsolete ordrely

1. Neat and tidy; possessing order.

   He has always kept an orderly kitchen, with nothing out of place.

   Synonyms: regular

2. Methodical or systematic.

   We live in an orderly universe, where rules govern both the movements of planets and the binding of molecules.

   1 more example

   I will remain in post as Prime Minister until the contest is complete. And I will do everything I can to ensure an orderly handover of power.

   2026 June 22, Keir Starmer, resignation speech

3. Peaceful; well-behaved.

   An orderly gathering of citizens stood on the corner awaiting the bus.

4. Being on duty; keeping order; conveying orders.

   aids-de-camp and orderly men

   1814 July 7, [Walter Scott], Waverley; or, ’Tis Sixty Years Since. […], volume (please specify |volume=I to III), Edinburgh: […] James Ballantyne and Co. for Archibald Constable and Co.; London: Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, and Brown, →OCLC

plural orderlies · alternative obsolete ordrely

1. A hospital attendant given a variety of non-medical duties.
2. governmentA soldier who carries out minor tasks for a superior officer.

   Synonyms: batman

comparative more orderly · superlative most orderly · alternative obsolete ordrely

1. archaicAccording to good order or practice; appropriately, in a well-behaved or orderly (adjective) way.First known use 15th c.

   You are blunt; go to it orderly.

   c. 1590–1592 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Taming of the Shrew”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene ii]

   2 more examples

   Phase R: the rods are linked three by three and form planar twodimensional hexagonal networks. In both cases, the networks are orderly stacked in a three-dimensional lattice.

   1991, Chor-San Heng Khoo, Physics of Liquid Crystalline Materials, CRC Press, →ISBN, page 33

   The rectangles are orderly stacked with the topmost rectangle representing the most visible entity and subsequent rectangles representing entities underneath the mouse cursor, front to back.

   2014, Huei-Huang Lee, Finite Element Simulations with ANSYS Workbench 15: Theory, Applications, Case Studies, SDC Publications, →ISBN, page 191

2. obsoleteIn order; in a particular order or succession; with a suitable arrangement.First known use 15th–19th c.

   And in the Tombe which is an arch made of mats, they lay them orderly.

   1624, John Smith, Generall Historie, Kupperman, published 1988, page 149

   2 more examples

   The earth from heaven, the sea from earth, he parted orderly, / And from the thicke and foggie ayre, he tooke the lightsome skie.

   1567, Ovid, translated by Arthur Golding, Metamorphoses, section I

   Thus orderly marshaled, they take their course and swim whither their journey tends, as broad and wide behind as before[…].

   1603, Michel de Montaigne, chapter 12, in John Florio, transl., The Essayes […], book II, London: […] Val[entine] Simmes for Edward Blount […], →OCLC

   Synonyms: methodically