orient

[ noun, adjective awr-ee-uhnt, ‐ee-ent, ohr-; verb awr-ee-ent, ohr‐ ]

/ noun, adjective ˈɔr i ənt, ‐iˌɛnt, ˈoʊr-; verb ˈɔr iˌɛnt, ˈoʊr‐ /

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See synonyms for: orient / oriented on Thesaurus.com

noun

Older Use.the Orient,

the countries of Asia, especially East Asia.
(formerly) the countries to the east of the Mediterranean.

Jewelry.

an orient pearl.
the iridescence of a pearl.

the east; the eastern region of the heavens or the world.

verb (used with object) Also especially British, orientate .

to adjust with relation to, or bring into due relation to surroundings, circumstances, facts, etc.

to familiarize (a person) with new surroundings or circumstances, or the like: lectures designed to orient the new students.

to place in any definite position with reference to the points of the compass or other locations: to orient a building north and south.

to direct or position toward a particular object: Orient it toward that house.

to determine the position of in relation to the points of the compass; get the bearings of.

to place so as to face the east, especially to build (a church) with the chief altar to the east and the chief entrance to the west.

Surveying. to set (the horizontal circle of a surveying instrument) so that readings give correct azimuths.

Mathematics. to assign to (a surface) a constant, outward direction at each point.

verb (used without object) Also especially British, orientate .

to turn toward the east or in any specified direction.

adjective

(of a gem or pearl) exceptionally fine and lustrous; oriental.

Archaic. rising or appearing, especially as from below the horizon: the orient sun.

OTHER WORDS FOR orient

5 accustom, relate.

See synonyms for orient on Thesaurus.com

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Question 1 of 7

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of orient

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin orient- (stem of oriēns ) “the east, sunrise,” noun use of present participle of orīrī “to rise”; see -ent

OTHER WORDS FROM orient

o·ri·ent·er, nounself-o·ri·ent·ed, adjectivewell-o·ri·ent·ed, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use orient in a sentence

Dropbox is well-oriented to making it easier for consumer to turn to it.
Is Dropbox Worth $8 Billion?|William O’Connor|November 19, 2013|DAILY BEAST
On admission here he talked in a coherent manner, was clear mentally and quite well oriented.
Studies in Forensic Psychiatry|Bernard Glueck
He was clean and tidy in his habits, keenly interested in his environment, and well oriented in all spheres.
Studies in Forensic Psychiatry|Bernard Glueck
On the whole, we are quite well oriented as to what people call sexual.
A General Introduction to Psychoanalysis|Sigmund Freud

The house was well oriented to view, ventilation, and dominant location.
The Cultural History of Marlborough, Virginia|C. Malcolm Watkins

British Dictionary definitions for orient (1 of 2)

orient

noun (ˈɔːrɪənt)

poetic another word for east Compare occident

archaic the eastern sky or the dawn

the iridescent lustre of a pearl
(as modifier)orient pearls

a pearl of high quality

adjective (ˈɔːrɪənt)

mainly poetic eastern

archaic (of the sun, stars, etc) rising

verb (ˈɔːrɪˌɛnt)

to adjust or align (oneself or something else) according to surroundings or circumstances

(tr) to position, align, or set (a map, surveying instrument, etc) with reference to the points of the compass or other specific directions

(tr) to set or build (a church) in an easterly direction

Word Origin for orient

C18: via French from Latin oriēns rising (sun), from orīrī to rise

British Dictionary definitions for orient (2 of 2)

Orient

/ (ˈɔːrɪənt) /

noun the Orient

the countries east of the Mediterranean

the eastern hemisphere

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

orient

OTHER WORDS FOR orient

Origin of orient

OTHER WORDS FROM orient

Words related to orient

How to use orient in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for orient (1 of 2)

Word Origin for orient

British Dictionary definitions for orient (2 of 2)