in order
Idioms-
In proper sequence or arrangement, as in The children lined up in order of size , or Are the letters all in order? [c. 1400]
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Suitable, correct, appropriate, as in A few words on this subject are in order now . [Mid-1800s]
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See in short order .
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in order that . So that, to the end or purpose that, as in In order that Bob can meet my husband, we've come early . [Early 1700s]
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in order to . For the purpose of, as a means to, as in We'll have to hire more help in order to finish on time . This usage always precedes a verb, such as finish in the example. [c. 1700]
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
And I don’t like that he is pushing you to reveal more about your assets and income in order to market more services to you.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 11, 2026
In 2020, Vang selected families from Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Carolina and Fresno to relocate to Oroville in order to build a temple at the base of Table Mountain, according to the press release.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 11, 2026
The club needed to sell in order to buy.
From BBC • Jun. 10, 2026
“But in order to have that, you need to have a strong security and defense cladding to ensure a political environment that can guarantee safety of all those who want to be nonviolent.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 10, 2026
So she told Mrs. Thayer to return tomorrow in order to clear the mists around her Present and Future.
From "The Detective's Assistant" by Kate Hannigan
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
