rearrange
gb/ɹˌiɚˈeɪnd͡ʒ/ us/ɹˌiɚˈeɪnd͡ʒ/
B2
English
Senses
0 senses
Verb
B2
action
1
change the positions or order
To move things into a different order or place.
Usage pattern:
rearrange [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use arrange when they mean change an existing arrangement; rearrange implies it was already arranged before.
Synonyms
reorganize (Often suggests improving the overall structure, not just moving items.)
|
reorder (Focuses on changing sequence rather than physical layout.)
|
reshuffle (Suggests mixing and moving around, often more casually.)
Antonyms
leave (Keep the arrangement unchanged.)
|
maintain (Continue the same arrangement over time.)
Collocations
rearrange the furniture
|rearrange the room
|rearrange the chairs
|rearrange the seating
|rearrange a display
|rearrange items on a shelf
|rearrange a layout
|rearrange a collection
|rearrange the pieces
|rearrange the order
Themes
daily_life
|home
|organization
Examples
- We rearranged the living room to make space for the new sofa.
- She rearranged the books on the shelf by author instead of color.
- The staff rearranged the tables for the evening event.
Learner examples
- I rearranged my desk.
- Can we rearrange the chairs?
Verb
B2
action
2
change a plan to a new time
To change a plan so it happens at a different time.
Usage pattern:
rearrange [a meeting/appointment/visit] (for [time/date])
Common mistake:
Rearrange is possible for meetings, but reschedule is more direct for time changes; rearrange can also mean changing other details.
Synonyms
reschedule (Specifically means change to a different time or date.)
|
rebook (Common for tickets, rooms, and reservations.)
Antonyms
keep (Do not change the plan.)
|
cancel (Stop the plan instead of changing it.)
Collocations
rearrange a meeting
|rearrange an appointment
|rearrange a visit
|rearrange the schedule
|rearrange your plans
|rearrange your timetable
|rearrange travel plans
|rearrange a booking
|rearrange an interview
|rearrange a call
Themes
work
|business
|daily_life
|planning
Examples
- Could we rearrange our meeting for next Tuesday?
- I had to rearrange my dentist appointment because of work.
- They rearranged the training session to fit everyone’s availability.
Learner examples
- I need to rearrange my appointment.
- Let’s rearrange the meeting.
Verb
B2
action
3
change order of words or parts
To put the parts in a different order.
Usage pattern:
rearrange [words/phrases/parts]
Common mistake:
Learners may say change when a more precise verb is rearrange or reorder, especially for word order in sentences.
Synonyms
reorder (Often emphasizes sequence in a line or list.)
|
rephrase (Changes wording, not necessarily only order.)
Antonyms
keep (Leave the existing order unchanged.)
Collocations
rearrange the words
|rearrange the sentence
|rearrange the paragraphs
|rearrange the steps
|rearrange the sections
|rearrange the order of events
|rearrange the clauses
|rearrange the structure
Themes
language
|education
|writing
Examples
- Try rearranging the words to make a correct sentence.
- The editor rearranged the paragraphs to improve the flow.
- You can rearrange the steps, but the result will be different.
Learner examples
- I rearranged the words.
- She rearranged the paragraphs.
Verb
technical
B2
process
4
rewrite an equation in a different form
To rewrite an equation in a different but equal way.
Usage pattern:
rearrange [an equation/expression] (to [do something])
Common mistake:
In math, rearrange means keep the equation equivalent; it does not mean change the values.
Synonyms
rewrite (General term; may not explicitly imply equivalence unless in context.)
|
transform (Often used for broader algebraic changes or methods.)
Antonyms
leave (Do not change the form of the equation.)
Collocations
rearrange the equation
|rearrange the formula
|rearrange the expression
|rearrange for x
|rearrange to make x the subject
|rearrange to isolate the variable
|rearrange terms
|rearrange the identity
Themes
education
|math
|technical
Examples
- Rearrange the formula to make v the subject.
- You can rearrange the equation by moving this term to the other side.
- First, rearrange the expression to simplify it.
Learner examples
- Rearrange the equation for x.
Grammar
Dictionary form
rearrange
IPA
GB/ɹˌiɚˈeɪnd͡ʒ/
US/ɹˌiɚˈeɪnd͡ʒ/
Syllables & stress
re - arrange (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (arrange)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: rearrange
- 3rd Person Singular: rearranges
- Present Participle: rearranging
- Past: rearranged
Expressions
rearrange the deck chairs on the titanic
1/ɹˌiɚˈeɪnd͡ʒ ðə dˈɛk t͡ʃˈɛɹz ˈɔn ðə taɪtˈænɪk/
idiom
informal
make pointless superficial changes
To do small changes that won’t help.
Examples
- Without fixing the budget, cutting a few office perks is just rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic.
- They keep changing the logo, but it feels like rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic.
- If the product doesn’t work, new packaging is just rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic.
rearrange your priorities
1/ɹˌiɚˈeɪnd͡ʒ jˈʊɹ pɹaɪˈɔɹətiz/
fixed phrase
change what you consider most important
To change what is most important to you.
Examples
- After having a baby, she rearranged her priorities.
- If you want to finish the project on time, you may need to rearrange your priorities.
- The crisis made the company rearrange its priorities.