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.
What do I need to know about military benefits and how can I get my mom to be proactive about getting his end-of-life finances in order?
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 28, 2026
Regional Food Bank are being forced to make unprecedented changes in order to feed those in need.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 28, 2026
No current therapies are designed to improve proinsulin folding in order to preserve the health and function of beta cells.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 28, 2026
Hagans, the union leader, said she had been advising members affected by the Supreme Court ruling to get their affairs in order in case they were swept up by immigration raids.
From Barron's ● Jul. 27, 2026
Folks would travel from across the South and beyond in order to visit the spring.
From "Reaching for the Moon" by Katherine Johnson
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.
