arrange

[ uh-reynj ]

/ əˈreɪndʒ /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR arrange ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), ar·ranged, ar·rang·ing.

to place in proper, desired, or convenient order; adjust properly: to arrange books on a shelf.

to come to an agreement or understanding regarding: The two sides arranged the sale of the property.

to prepare or plan: to arrange the details of a meeting.

Music. to adapt (a composition) for a particular style of performance by voices or instruments.

verb (used without object), ar·ranged, ar·rang·ing.

to make plans or preparations: They arranged for a conference on Wednesday.

to make a settlement; come to an agreement: to arrange with the coal company for regular deliveries.

Nearby words

Origin of arrange

1325–75; Middle English arayngen < Middle French arangier, equivalent to a- a-⁵ + rangier to range

SYNONYMS FOR arrange

1. array; group, sort, dispose; classify.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR arrange ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

ar·range·a·ble, adjectivear·rang·er, nouno·ver·ar·range, verb, o·ver·ar·ranged, o·ver·ar·rang·ing.re·ar·range, verb, re·ar·ranged, re·ar·rang·ing.

re·ar·range·a·ble, adjectiveun·ar·ranged, adjectivewell-ar·ranged, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for re-arrange

Last fall, Sarah Palin tried to re-arrange the familiar verses.
A Short History of American Rage|Michael Kazin|March 17, 2009|DAILY BEAST
The various specimens which he already possessed were landed, that he might also re-arrange them.
In the Eastern Seas|W.H.G. Kingston
With this large accession of material, it was found absolutely necessary to re-arrange and re-write the whole.
The Ornithology of Shakespeare|James Edmund Harting
As soon as the buildings were well under way, Chief Factor Douglas sailed northward along the coast to re-arrange the trade.
The Remarkable History of the Hudson's Bay Company|George Bryce

The next day I resolved to re-arrange the drawing-room, which was cold, dreary, and as unattractive as could be.
My Memoirs|Marguerite Steinheil
Read that letter carefully while I re-arrange my hair, and then I will tell you what you are to do.
The White Rose of Memphis|William C. Falkner

British Dictionary definitions for re-arrange

arrange

/ (əˈreɪndʒ) /

verb

(tr) to put into a proper, systematic, or decorative order

(tr; may take a clause as object or an infinitive) to arrive at an agreement or understanding about; settle

(when intr, often foll by for; when tr, may take a clause as object or an infinitive ) to make plans or preparations in advance (for something)we arranged for her to be met

(tr) to adapt (a musical composition) for performance in a different way, esp on different instruments

(tr) to adapt (a play, etc) for broadcasting

(intr often foll by with) to come to an agreement

Derived Formsarrangeable, adjectivearranger, noun

Word Origin for arrange

C14: from Old French arangier, from a- ² + rangier to put in a row, range

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for re-arrange

re-arrange

also rearrange, 1798, from re- "back, again" + arrange. Related: Rearranged; rearranging; rearrangement.

arrange

late 14c., "draw up a line of battle," from Old French arengier (12c.), from a- "to" (see ad-) + rangier "set in a row" (Modern French ranger), from rang "rank," from Frankish *hring (see rank (n.)).

A rare word until the meaning generalized to "to place things in order" c.1780-1800. Musical sense of "adapt for other instruments or voices" is from 1808. Related: Arranged; arranging. Arranged marriage attested from 1854.