order

The arrangement of things showing which comes first, second, and so on.

• The pages are in the wrong order.
• Write the names in alphabetical order.
• The children went in order of age.

How to use it: in order of something (Arrange the pictures in order of date.)

Similar words: sequence

Common phrases: alphabetical order, in order, reverse order

A request for goods, food, or a service to be supplied.

• Your order is ready.
• The waiter took our orders.
• I placed an order for two books.

How to use it: an order for something (We received an order for twenty chairs.)

Similar words: request

Common phrases: place an order, take an order, online order

A state in which things are neatly arranged where they belong.

• Keep your room in order.
• She put all her papers in order.
• We restored order to the crowded cupboard.

Similar words: tidiness

Opposites: disorder

Common phrases: in order, put in order, keep in order

An instruction from someone with authority telling you what you must do.

• That is an order.
• The soldiers obeyed his orders.
• Who gave the order to close the road?

How to use it: an order to do something (They received an order to leave.)

Similar words: command, instruction

Common phrases: give an order, obey an order, direct order

A religious group whose members, often monks or nuns, live by particular rules.

• She joined a religious order.
• The monks belong to the same order.
• Members of this order run schools and hospitals.

Common phrases: religious order, join an order, monastic order

To ask for food, goods, or a service that you will pay for.

• I ordered a pizza.
• Can we order some drinks?
• She orders her groceries online every week.

How to use it: order something from someone/something (I ordered a lamp from an online shop.); order someone something (She ordered me a sandwich.)

Common phrases: order a meal, order online, order a coffee

To ask for food, goods, or a service that you want to buy.

• I ordered a pizza.
• Can we order the tickets online?
• She always orders coffee after lunch.

How to use it: order something from someone/something (We ordered a sofa from a local shop.); order something for someone (I ordered a sandwich for you.)

Similar words: request

Common phrases: order a meal, order something online, order some coffee

To tell someone with authority that they must do something.

• The police ordered us to leave.
• The judge ordered a new trial.
• Who ordered the soldiers to attack?

How to use it: order someone to do something (The officer ordered us to stop.); order that… (The judge ordered that the money be returned.)

Similar words: command, instruct

Common phrases: order someone out, order someone to leave, order an attack