order
gb/ˈɔɹdɚ/ us/ˈɔɹdɚ/
A1
English
~ 1300
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
entity
1
request to buy or get something
A request to get something, usually by buying it.
Usage pattern:
place an order for [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'order' (noun) with 'order' (verb). In 'place an order', 'order' is a noun.
Synonyms
request (More general; not limited to commercial or service contexts.)
Antonyms
cancellation (The act of stopping an existing order from being fulfilled.)
Collocations
place an order
|cancel an order
|online order
|order form
|bulk order
Themes
business
|daily life
|food
|finance
|daily_life
Examples
- I placed an order for a new laptop yesterday.
- The restaurant received a large order for pizzas.
- Your order will be delivered in three business days.
- We can't process your order without payment.
- She checked the order confirmation email.
Learner examples
- I made an order for a pizza.
- He placed an order online.
- The shop sent my order today.
- I will cancel my order.
- My order is ready for pickup.
Noun
A2
entity
2
authoritative command or direction
Something you are told to do by someone in charge.
Usage pattern:
give an order to [someone] to [do something]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'order' meaning 'command' with 'order' meaning 'purchase'. Context usually clarifies.
Synonyms
command (Slightly more formal and often used in military contexts.)
Antonyms
suggestion (An idea or proposal that is optional rather than mandatory.)
Collocations
give an order
|follow orders
|disobey an order
|military orders
Themes
military
|workplace
|communication
|law
Examples
- The captain gave the order to fire.
- She refused to carry out the manager's orders.
- Orders from the top must be obeyed.
- He shouted orders to the team during the game.
- The soldiers were waiting for their next orders.
Learner examples
- The teacher gave an order to stop talking.
- The police gave an order to leave the area.
- He did not follow the order.
- She gave an order to clean the room.
- They followed the order quickly.
Noun
A2
entity
3
arrangement or sequence of things
The way things are put in a line or group so they look neat or follow a plan.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'in order' meaning 'organized' with 'in order to', which expresses purpose.
Synonyms
sequence (Focuses more on the chronological or logical progression.)
Antonyms
disorder (A lack of arrangement or organization.)
Collocations
in order
|out of order
|alphabetical order
|put in order
Themes
organization
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The books are arranged in alphabetical order.
- Please put your desk in order before you leave.
- The files were kept in strict numerical order.
- She explained the events in the correct order.
- Everything was in perfect order.
Learner examples
- The chairs are in order.
- He put his papers in order.
- We stand in order by height.
- Please keep the room in order.
- The list is in alphabetical order.
Verb
A1
action
4
ask for goods or services
To ask for something, usually to buy it or have it delivered.
Usage pattern:
order [something] from [someone/place]
Synonyms
request (General asking; not necessarily commercial.)
Antonyms
cancel (To stop an existing request for goods or services.)
Collocations
order food
|order online
|order a drink
Themes
business
|daily life
|daily_life
|finance
Examples
- We ordered two coffees and a sandwich.
- She ordered a taxi to pick her up at 8 a.m.
- I ordered the book from an online store.
- He ordered dinner for everyone at the table.
- They ordered new uniforms for the team.
Learner examples
- I will order a pizza.
- She ordered a taxi.
- We ordered lunch at the cafe.
- He ordered shoes online.
- They ordered water with their meal.
Verb
A2
action
5
instruct someone with authority
To tell someone what they must do, usually because you have authority over them.
Usage pattern:
order [someone] to [do something]
Synonyms
command (Often more formal and used in official contexts.)
Antonyms
ask (A polite request without authority.)
Collocations
order troops to advance
|order someone home
Themes
military
|workplace
|communication
|law
Examples
- The officer ordered the soldiers to stand down.
- She ordered him to leave immediately.
- They were ordered to remain silent during the ceremony.
- The judge ordered him to pay a fine.
- He ordered his assistant to prepare the report.
Learner examples
- The teacher ordered us to sit down.
- The police ordered the crowd to move back.
- She ordered him to go home.
- He ordered the workers to start now.
- They ordered me to stop talking.
Grammar
Dictionary form
order
IPA
GB/ˈɔɹdɚ/
US/ˈɔɹdɚ/
Syllables & stress
or - der (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (or)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: order
- Plural: order, orders
Verb
- Base: order
- 3rd Person Singular: orders
- Present Participle: ordering
- Past: ordered
Word family
Forms
orders
noun
ordering
verb
ordered
verb
Core family
orderly
adjective B1
Related words
reorder
verb
Negative and opposite forms
disorder
noun B2
disorderly
adjective B2
Advanced or less common
ordinal
adjective
Expressions
call to order
1/kˈɔl tə ˈɔɹdɚ/
fixed phrase
formal
formally begin meeting with attention request
To officially start a meeting by asking people to be quiet and pay attention.
Examples
- The chairperson called the meeting to order at 9 a.m.
- Please take your seats so we can call this session to order.
in order to
1/ˈɪn ˈɔɹdɚ tə/
fixed phrase
for the purpose of doing something
Used before a verb to show the reason for doing something.
Examples
- He left early in order to catch the train.
- You need to study hard in order to pass the test.
keep in order
1/kˈip ˈɪn ˈɔɹdɚ/
fixed phrase
maintain neatness or discipline
To keep things tidy and organized, or control people so they behave well.
Examples
- The teacher worked hard to keep the class in order.
- Please keep your desk in order.
out of order
1/ˈaʊt əv ˈɔɹdɚ/
fixed phrase
not working or not acceptable behavior
Not working correctly, or not following normal rules of behavior.
Examples
- The elevator is out of order, so we must take the stairs.
- His comments were completely out of order.
place an order
1/plˈeɪs ən ˈɔɹdɚ/
fixed phrase
make a purchase request for later delivery
To ask a company or person to send you something you want to buy.
Examples
- I will place an order for more office supplies tomorrow.
- She placed an order for a new sofa online.