orders
orders — verb
- orderspresent simple I / you / we / they
- orderses3rd person singular
- ordersing-ing form
- ordersedpast simple
1. To ask a waiter, shop assistant, or supplier to bring you food, drink, or goods
To ask a waiter, shop assistant, or supplier to bring you food, drink, or goods that you want to buy or receive.
Ryan ordered a pepperoni pizza and a side of garlic bread for dinner.
order + [food/drink item]
The office manager ordered two dozen notebooks and a new printer from the catalogue.
order + [goods] from [supplier]
Can I order you a cup of coffee while we wait?
Layla always orders the same drink — a tall latte with oat milk.
We ordered a new sofa online last week and it arrived this morning.
文法句型
order + [something]
order + [someone] + [something]
用法筆記
Common in restaurant and retail contexts. The person receiving the item can appear as an indirect object (order me a drink) or after 'for' (order a drink for me).
常見錯誤
2. To tell someone in a position of authority that they must do a particular thing,
To tell someone in a position of authority that they must do a particular thing, or to give an official instruction for something to happen.
The captain ordered the soldiers to march across the bridge before dawn.
order + [someone] + to-infinitive
The judge ordered that the company pay a fine of two million dollars.
order + that-clause (subjunctive)
The doctor ordered the patient to stay in bed for a week after surgery.
The general ordered an immediate evacuation of the area near the coast.
The school principal ordered all students to remain indoors during the storm warning.
文法句型
order + [someone] + to-infinitive
order + that-clause
order + [something] + to be done
用法筆記
Stronger and more formal than 'tell'. The subject is usually a person or institution with recognised authority. A that-clause after 'order' typically uses the subjunctive or 'should' in formal English.
常見錯誤
3. To put a set of people, items, or ideas into a particular sequence or arrangemen
To put a set of people, items, or ideas into a particular sequence or arrangement based on a system or rule.
The librarian ordered the books on the shelf by the author's last name.
order + [items] by [criterion]
Ezra ordered his thoughts before replying to the difficult interview question.
order + [abstract noun] (thoughts, ideas)
The teacher ordered the students alphabetically by surname before taking the class photo.
Tunde ordered the files on his desk into three piles: urgent, important, and reference.
The museum curator ordered the paintings by date so visitors could follow the artist's development.
- scatter
to spread things around without order
- disorganise
to disrupt an existing arrangement
文法句型
order + [something] by [criterion]
order + [something] into [groups]
用法筆記
Often used with 'by' (specifying the sorting criterion) or 'into' (specifying the resulting groups). The object can be concrete (files, books) or abstract (thoughts, ideas).
常見錯誤
4. To officially decide or appoint someone, especially to a religious position, as
To officially decide or appoint someone, especially to a religious position, as if by a higher power or fate — for example, a priest being ordered to serve in a distant parish.
The young seminarian was ordered deacon after five years of study and prayer.
passive: be ordered [role] — religious ordination
Fate seemed to have ordered them to meet again after many years apart.
Legend says that their first encounter was ordered by destiny so the kingdom might be saved.
In the novel, destiny orders the hero to protect the ancient forest.
文法句型
be ordered + to-infinitive
order + [someone] + to [role]
用法筆記
This is the rarest sense of the verb 'order' in modern everyday English. It appears in religious writing (ordination) or in literary contexts where fate or destiny is the subject. The passive form is common.
常見錯誤
orders — noun
- orderssingular
- ordersesplural
1. A request asking a business to supply a particular item or to prepare a specific
A request asking a business to supply a particular item or to prepare a specific meal for you.
The restaurant took Aaron's order for two burgers and a milkshake.
order for + [food item]
Nadia placed an order for new office chairs through the company website.
place an order for + [item]
The bakery received a large order for fifty birthday cakes.
Can I take your order, or do you need a few more minutes to decide?
Orders for the new phone model arrived faster than the company expected.
文法句型
order + for + [item]
place/take an order for + [item]
用法筆記
This sense is often used with the verbs 'place', 'take', 'receive', or 'make' to indicate the action of requesting something.
常見錯誤
2. The particular items or meal that a customer has asked for and is waiting to rec
The particular items or meal that a customer has asked for and is waiting to receive.
The waiter brought Yuna her order of fried rice with vegetables.
bring someone's order
Aarav checked his online order and saw it had been shipped that morning.
check an order
The kitchen prepared each order carefully before passing it to the servers.
Elena was happy when her order arrived two days before the promised date.
Theo called the store to change his order from a laptop to a tablet.
- purchase
focuses on the buying transaction, not the items requested
文法句型
[person]'s order
an order of + [item]
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1: sense 1 is the act of requesting; sense 2 is the items themselves after the request has been made.
3. The state of having asked for an item from a store or company while you are stil
The state of having asked for an item from a store or company while you are still waiting for it to arrive.
The sofa is on order and should arrive at our apartment next week.
be on order
Folake's new bicycle was on order, so she borrowed her brother's for now.
The books we need for class are on order at the campus store.
That winter jacket is currently on order for customers who reserved it early.
- in stock
available now, not needing to be ordered
文法句型
on order
be on order
用法筆記
Used only in the fixed phrase 'on order'. This sense describes a waiting state and typically appears after the verb 'be'.
常見錯誤
4. Made or produced exactly as a particular customer specifies, rather than being a
Made or produced exactly as a particular customer specifies, rather than being a standard mass-produced item.
Omar had his wedding suit made to order by a tailor in Taipei.
made to order
The kitchen cabinets were built to order to fit the unusual wall shape.
built to order
That furniture store creates custom pieces to order within three weeks.
Arjun's grandmother prefers a dress to order rather than buying from a shop.
- customized
broader; can mean altered from a standard design, not necessarily built from scratch
- bespoke
formal, especially for clothing or luxury goods
- ready-made
produced in standard sizes and designs, not made for a specific person
文法句型
to order
made to order
用法筆記
This sense appears in the fixed expressions 'to order' and 'made to order', which function adverbially after the verb.
常見錯誤
5. The sequence in which things follow one another, based on time, importance, size
The sequence in which things follow one another, based on time, importance, size, or another rule.
The students lined up in alphabetical order for their class photo.
in alphabetical order
Elena listed her reasons in order of importance during the meeting.
in order of importance
Astrid sorted the photos on her phone in the order she took them.
Please put these documents in the correct order before the manager arrives.
The order of events at the festival was posted on the main board.
- sequence
focuses on chronological or logical succession
- arrangement
broader; can refer to spatial positioning as well as sequence
- disorder
lack of any logical sequence or arrangement
文法句型
in order
in [adjective] order
the order of + [noun]
用法筆記
Distinguish from sibling sense 'in order' (sense 10, 'tidiness'), which describes a state of neatness. This sense focuses on sequence or ranking.
常見錯誤
6. A direct instruction given by someone in authority that another person must carr
A direct instruction given by someone in authority that another person must carry out or follow.
The captain gave a clear order for all soldiers to move to higher ground.
give an order for [someone] to [action]
Nadia refused to carry out the order because it violated safety rules.
carry out an order
The firefighters followed their chief's orders and evacuated the building.
Aarav received orders to report to the head office on Monday morning.
The general's orders were clear: no one was to enter the restricted zone.
- command
more forceful, often used in military contexts
- instruction
less forceful, common in workplace or procedural settings
- request
a polite ask that can be refused, unlike an order
文法句型
give/obey an order
follow orders
orders + to-infinitive
用法筆記
Distinguish from sibling senses: sense 6 is a general command from any authority figure; sense 7 (chunk b2) describes the state of being under orders; sense 8 (chunk b2) covers official written instructions such as court orders or banker's orders.
常見錯誤
7. The situation in which a person has received and must carry out a command from s
The situation in which a person has received and must carry out a command from someone with the power to tell them what to do.
The soldiers were under strict orders not to leave the base after six in the evening.
under + adjective + orders pattern
Aylin had her orders to prepare the operating room for the emergency surgery that night.
have + possessive + orders to + infinitive
The security team acted on orders from the building manager to close every exit immediately.
Faisal followed his mother's orders and cleaned the kitchen before going out.
The police officers were given orders to clear the square within ten minutes.
- instructions
less forceful than 'orders'; more neutral and common in everyday contexts
- commands
more military or authoritarian; suggests less room for discussion
- directives
formal; used in official or organizational contexts
文法句型
under + possessive + orders
have + possessive + orders
follow + orders
用法筆記
This sense is almost always used in the plural form 'orders'. It frequently appears in fixed phrases such as 'under orders', 'have your orders', and 'take orders from someone'.
常見錯誤
8. A written or spoken direction from a court, a government body, or a financial in
A written or spoken direction from a court, a government body, or a financial institution that tells someone what they must do or how money should be paid.
The judge issued a court order preventing the company from selling the property.
court order — legal term
Zola set up a standing order to pay five hundred dollars into her savings account each month.
standing order — banking term
Lotte received a removal order from the local council telling her to leave the apartment within thirty days.
The council put in place an emergency order banning the use of fireworks in the park.
文法句型
court order
banker's order
standing order
restraining order
用法筆記
When referring to legal documents, 'order' is often combined with a specific type (e.g., 'court order', 'restraining order', 'eviction order'). In banking, 'standing order' and 'banker's order' describe automatic regular payments.
9. Used before a verb to introduce the purpose of an action — the reason why somebo
Used before a verb to introduce the purpose of an action — the reason why somebody does something or wants something to happen.
Noa turned off the television in order to concentrate on her homework.
in order to + infinitive of purpose
The university raised its fees in order to pay for new science laboratories.
Eve arrived at the station early in order to get a good seat on the train.
In order for the medicine to work properly, you must take it every morning without missing a day.
文法句型
in order to + infinitive
in order for + noun + to + infinitive
用法筆記
In everyday spoken English, 'to' alone is often used instead of 'in order to' ('She left early to catch the bus'). 'In order to' is more formal and puts extra emphasis on the purpose. 'In order that' is a more formal alternative that takes a clause.
常見錯誤
10. A state of cleanliness and neatness in which objects and spaces are properly arr
A state of cleanliness and neatness in which objects and spaces are properly arranged and free of mess or clutter.
Wei always keeps his desk in order — pens in the holder and papers in tidy piles.
keep [object] in order — state of neatness
Mei checked that her wardrobe was in order before the overnight guests arrived.
be in order — state phrase
The kitchen was in perfect order, with every pot hung in its place and the counters spotless.
The tools in the garden shed were not in order at all — shovels and pots lay scattered on the floor.
- tidiness
more common in everyday speech; 'order' is slightly more formal
- neatness
focuses on cleanliness and visual appeal alongside arrangement
- cleanliness
emphasises freedom from dirt rather than arrangement
文法句型
in order
in perfect order
in good order
out of order
keep [object] in order
用法筆記
This sense describes a state of neatness and cleanliness (e.g. 'the room is in order'). It is different from sense 11 (PUT IN ORDER), which describes the action of making things neat. The opposite expression is 'out of order', meaning messy or untidy.
常見錯誤
11. The activity of arranging objects or a space so that everything is in its proper
The activity of arranging objects or a space so that everything is in its proper place and the area is tidy and organized.
Every Sunday morning, Allison puts her wardrobe in order and throws away clothes she no longer wears.
put [object] in order
The office manager hired a cleaner to keep the staff kitchen in order during the week.
keep [object] in order
Mayumi spent the whole afternoon putting her desk drawers in order and sorting old papers.
The children were told to put their toys in order before they could watch television.
- tidying up
less formal; more common in everyday speech
- organising
broader in scope; involves creating systems, not just making things neat
- mess
the opposite of a tidy state
文法句型
put + object + in order
keep + object + in order
用法筆記
Distinguish this sense from sense 10: sense 10 describes the state of being correctly arranged (e.g., 'the books are in order'), while this sense describes the action of making things neat (e.g., 'she put the books in order').
12. The condition of a machine, piece of equipment, or system that allows it to oper
The condition of a machine, piece of equipment, or system that allows it to operate correctly and without difficulties.
The old washing machine is still in perfect working order after fifteen years of use.
in perfect working order
Felipe took his bicycle to the shop to make sure it was in good order before the long trip.
in good order
The lift at the station was out of order, so we carried the bags up three flights of stairs.
A mechanic checked the engine and confirmed that it was in full working order for the delivery route.
- operation
focuses on the process of functioning, not the condition
- disrepair
a state of being broken or in bad condition
文法句型
in working order
in good order
out of order
用法筆記
Commonly used in fixed phrases. 'In working order' or 'in good order' means the item functions correctly. 'Out of order' means it is broken. These phrases mainly apply to machines, vehicles, and public equipment.
常見錯誤
13. A stable situation in a community or country where people follow rules and behav
A stable situation in a community or country where people follow rules and behave calmly, so that daily life can continue without trouble or danger
After the protest, the police worked hard to restore order in the city center.
restore + order — collocation for bringing back calm
The new government promised to bring order to a region torn by years of chaos.
bring order to [place] — collocation
Lotte believes young people should learn to respect order and authority early.
When the power grid failed, people feared that order would collapse overnight.
At her school, good order is expected and every student follows the rules.
- peace
focuses on absence of conflict rather than rule-following
- stability
emphasises continuity and predictability more than obedience
- discipline
more about personal self-control than social conditions
文法句型
order + is/was
in + order
order + breaks down
restore + order
用法筆記
Frequently uncountable — 'order' without an article. Common in the fixed phrase 'law and order'.
常見錯誤
14. A word shouted in a parliament, council, or formal meeting to ask people to stop
A word shouted in a parliament, council, or formal meeting to ask people to stop talking and listen, so that the official discussion can move forward properly
The speaker shouted 'Order! Order!' but the shouting in the chamber continued for several minutes.
repeated 'Order! Order!' — typical formula in parliaments
When two members began arguing, the chairperson called them to order.
call + to order — fixed phrase
Anjali raised a point of order about the committee's voting procedure.
The debate was suspended because delegates kept interrupting and would not respect order.
文法句型
Order! + shouted in debate
call + someone + to order
point of order
用法筆記
Used as an exclamation ('Order!') or in the fixed noun phrases 'point of order' and 'call to order'. Not used in everyday conversation.
常見錯誤
15. A particular way that a society, country, or group of countries organizes itself
A particular way that a society, country, or group of countries organizes itself, especially in terms of its political and economic structures
The USSR's collapse created a new world order with America as the leading power.
world order — fixed phrase for global political structure
Shirin argued that the existing economic order benefits wealthy countries far more than poor ones.
economic order — collocation for financial system
After the revolution, the country built a new political order on fair elections.
The feudal order of medieval Europe gave landowners total control over the peasants.
Many people felt the social order of the 1950s was too rigid for individual freedom.
- chaos
absence of any organised system
文法句型
the + adjective + order
a new + order
the old + order
用法筆記
Usually modified by an adjective (e.g. 'new world order', 'capitalist order', 'feudal order'). Distinguish from sense 13 (LAW AND ORDER), which is about rule-following; this sense is about the structure or type of system.
常見錯誤
16. The traditional customs, practices, and habits in a community or field that have
The traditional customs, practices, and habits in a community or field that have lasted a long time and are now being questioned, challenged, or replaced by newer ideas.
In many mountain villages, the old order of elders making every important decision is slowly disappearing.
old order — traditional customs under pressure
Mayumi's grandparents miss the old order of their simple, slow village youth.
Sofia's parents still follow the old order of Sunday family dinners, even though the children live far away.
The internet turned the traditional order of publishing upside down within a decade.
- tradition
broader — includes customs and habits beyond political structures
- establishment
focuses on the people in power rather than the system itself
- reform
the effort to change rather than preserve the old system
- revolution
the radical act of replacing the old order
文法句型
the old + order
the established + order
the traditional + order
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 15 (SOCIAL SYSTEM): sense 15 describes the type of system or structure a society uses (e.g. 'democratic order', 'economic order'). This sense refers to the inherited customs and traditional ways of doing things, especially when they are being eroded or replaced.
17. A community of monks, nuns, or other religious people who live together followin
A community of monks, nuns, or other religious people who live together following a shared set of spiritual rules, often separated from wider society
At twenty-two, Anjali decided to leave university and join a Buddhist order in the mountains.
join + an order — verb pattern
Saint Francis founded the Franciscan order in the 1200s, and it is still active today.
[name] + order — naming pattern for religious communities
Members of this order take three promises: poverty, obedience, and service to the poor.
Elena visited a convent run by a Catholic order that educates girls in rural areas.
Throughout history, religious orders have built schools and hospitals to help others.
文法句型
a + religious + order
join + an order
the + name + Order
用法筆記
Often capitalised as part of the community's official name (e.g. 'the Benedictine Order', 'the Order of Saint Clare'). Can be used with a specific saint's name after 'of'.
常見錯誤
18. An official society that people are admitted to as an honour, usually because th
An official society that people are admitted to as an honour, usually because they have achieved something important or served their country well
The scientist received the Order of the British Empire for her climate change work.
Order of the [Name] — naming pattern for honors
Manuela received her country's highest honour as a member of the Order of the Sun.
member of the Order of [Name] — collocation
Only a few receive the Order of Canada each year, which makes it very special.
The king presented medals to new Royal Order members at a palace ceremony.
James was deeply honoured to be recommended for the Order of Merit.
- honour
can refer to the award itself rather than the society
- knighthood
specific type of order that gives a title like 'Sir' or 'Dame'
文法句型
the Order of + [name]
appointed to + an Order
receive + an Order
用法筆記
Always capitalised when part of a specific award's official name (e.g. 'Order of Australia', 'Order of the Phoenix'). Distinguished from sense 17 (RELIGIOUS COMMUNITY) by the context of national honour rather than spiritual life.
常見錯誤
19. the broad kind, rank, or scale that something fits into — used to show which cat
the broad kind, rank, or scale that something fits into — used to show which category something belongs to or how significant it is
The cost of repairing the bridge was of the order of ten million dollars.
collocation: of the order of + amount
Dewi's research is of the highest order, earning praise from scientists worldwide.
collocation: of the + adjective + order
Problems of this order require careful planning and a large team.
The earthquake caused destruction of a different order from the floods last year.
Ava estimated that the star was of the order of fifteen billion years old.
文法句型
order + of + amount
of the + adjective + order
用法筆記
Often appears in the fixed patterns 'of the order of + number' (meaning approximately that amount) or 'of a/the + adjective + order' (meaning at that level or quality). The 'type or size' meaning is more common than the 'approximate' meaning — see sense 20 for the closely related usage that specifically means 'roughly'.
20. used before a number or amount to mean 'roughly' or 'around that level' — giving
used before a number or amount to mean 'roughly' or 'around that level' — giving an estimated figure rather than an exact one
The company spent in the order of two million pounds on the new factory.
fixed expression: in the order of + amount
Ilan said the journey would take in the order of four hours by train.
Attendance at the exhibition was in the order of thirty thousand visitors.
The university expects to receive in the order of five hundred applications this year.
- approximately
more common and neutral in register
- roughly
less formal; common in everyday speech
- around
very common in informal contexts
文法句型
in the order of + amount/number
用法筆記
This sense is always part of the fixed phrase 'in the order of' followed by a quantity. It is more common in British English than American English. Do not confuse with the related sense 19, which uses 'of the order of' to describe type or level rather than approximate quantity.
常見錯誤
21. a rank in the scientific classification of living organisms, sitting between a c
a rank in the scientific classification of living organisms, sitting between a class and a family — for instance, the order Carnivora covers all cats, dogs, and bears
Wolves and foxes both belong to the order Carnivora.
collocation: belong to the order + [scientific name]
The order Primates includes lemurs, monkeys, apes, and humans.
Lakshmi classified the newly discovered insect under the order Coleoptera.
The order Rodentia contains more than two thousand different species of mammals.
Botany students learn that roses belong to the order Rosales.
文法句型
the order + [Latin name]
belongs to the order + [Latin name]
用法筆記
In scientific writing, the name of the order is capitalised (e.g., 'order Primates'). The full classification hierarchy (from broadest to most specific) is: domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, species.
常見錯誤
22. one of the major building styles from classical Greece and Rome, recognised by t
one of the major building styles from classical Greece and Rome, recognised by the design of its columns and the beam structure they support — the most famous are Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian
The Parthenon in Athens is a famous example of the Doric order.
pattern: the [style name] order
Roman architects added the Composite order to the three original Greek styles.
Valentina could identify the Ionic order by its scroll-shaped decorations on the columns.
The building's entrance uses columns of the Corinthian order, with leaf-shaped carvings at the top.
Daichi's architecture textbook explained the differences between the five classical orders.
- style
less specific; 'order' is the precise architectural term
- column style
descriptive but not a formal term
文法句型
the + [style name] + order
用法筆記
The classical orders are usually capitalised (Doric, Ionic, Corinthian, Tuscan, Composite). There are exactly five main orders — three Greek (Doric, Ionic, Corinthian) and two added by the Romans (Tuscan, Composite).