in order

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See also: inorder and in-order

English

Pronunciation

  • enPR: ĭn ôr'dər
  • Audio (AU)(file)

Adjective

in order (comparative more in order, superlative most in order)

  1. In a sequence.
    Antonym: out of order
    Place the cards in order by color, then by number.
  2. Ready, prepared; orderly; tidy.
    Some teachers find it hard to keep their classes in order.
    I wish I could get my desk in order.
    His material is in order for the presentation.
  3. (idiomatic, formal) In accordance with the procedural rules governing formal meetings of a deliberative body.
  4. (idiomatic) Appropriate, worthwhile.
    Now that we have finally finished, I think a celebration is in order.

Derived terms

Translations

Adverb

in order (comparative more in order, superlative most in order)

  1. (not comparable, idiomatic, with to) Emphasizes that what follows immediately is the purpose of the preceding or the beyond.
    • 2013 May 17, George Monbiot, “Money just makes the rich suffer”, in The Guardian Weekly‎, volume 188, number 23, page 19:
      In order to grant the rich these pleasures, the social contract is reconfigured. The welfare state is dismantled. […]
    She stood in order to see over the crowd. / She stood to see over the crowd.
  2. (not comparable, idiomatic, US, with "for") Emphasizes that what follows immediately is the purpose of the preceding or the beyond.
    She stood in order for her husband to see her. / She stood for her husband to see her.
  3. (comparable) In sequence.
    They sang in order, ending with a basso profundo.

Usage notes

  • The words "in order" to express purpose in "in order to" are usually redundant, and can be removed to leave just "to" as an expression of purpose. However, the full expression is required in the negative ("in order not to") and occasionally to avoid ambiguity.

Synonyms

Related terms

Translations

for the purpose of — see in order to

See also

  • to (particle)
  • for (preposition)

Anagrams

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