in order
Idioms-
In proper sequence or arrangement, as in The children lined up in order of size , or Are the letters all in order? [c. 1400]
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Suitable, correct, appropriate, as in A few words on this subject are in order now . [Mid-1800s]
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See in short order .
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in order that . So that, to the end or purpose that, as in In order that Bob can meet my husband, we've come early . [Early 1700s]
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in order to . For the purpose of, as a means to, as in We'll have to hire more help in order to finish on time . This usage always precedes a verb, such as finish in the example. [c. 1700]
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Hancock Whitney Financial Planning advises people to appoint a corporate executor in order to avoid familial clashes when dealing with sensitive issues like the one you are currently navigating.
From MarketWatch • May 21, 2026
Indeed, in the past week she said a new budget might be in order, to extend relief to families hit by higher energy prices, which sent Japanese bond yields up sharply.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 21, 2026
The BBC understands that Collins chose to collaborate with the DfE in order to highlight alternative options for young people who feel university is not for them.
From BBC • May 20, 2026
The government searched through the historical movements of multiple innocent people in order to identify a suspect it did not yet know.
From Slate • May 20, 2026
Steve was sitting at the end of the table and he starts to put his papers in order really conspicuously—as if to say, ‘If it wasn’t rude, I’d walk out now.’
From "The Big Short" by Michael Lewis
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
