Rearrange: meaning, definitions and examples

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rearrange

 

[ ˌriː.əˈreɪndʒ ]

Verb / Noun
Context #1 | Verb

action

To change the position, order, or arrangement of something.

Synonyms

reorder, reorganize, reshuffle.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
rearrange

Best for describing a situation where elements are moved within the same space without changing their nature.

  • I decided to rearrange the furniture in my living room
  • She rearranged the items on her desk for better workflow
reorganize

Appropriate for broader changes that involve restructuring or changing the organization of elements.

  • Management decided to reorganize the entire department
  • She reorganized her files to make important documents more accessible
reshuffle

Typically employed in formal or official contexts, like business or politics, often implying selecting different positions or roles. It can have a negative connotation if seen as instability.

  • The company announced a reshuffle of its top executives
  • The government made a reshuffle in the cabinet to address the crisis
reorder

Used when you are changing the sequence of items, often to improve efficiency.

  • Please reorder the slides for the presentation
  • He had to reorder the tasks in his to-do list to prioritize urgent ones

Examples of usage

  • I need to rearrange my schedule to fit in the meeting.
  • She rearranged the furniture in the living room to create more space.
  • We will rearrange the song lyrics to make it more catchy.
Context #2 | Noun

organization

A different arrangement or order.

Synonyms

reordering, reorganization, reshuffle.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
rearrange

Used when altering the layout or positioning of items, typically on a smaller or more casual scale.

  • She decided to rearrange the furniture in the living room.
  • Can you help me rearrange the files on my desk?
reordering

Used when changing the sequence or order of items, often involving lists or processes.

  • The teacher is reordering the topics in the syllabus for better understanding.
  • The manager is reordering the tasks to prioritize urgent matters.
reorganization

Used when making significant changes to the structure or arrangement of a system, organization, or institution, often involving rules or hierarchies.

  • The company is undergoing a reorganization to improve efficiency.
  • After the reorganization, several departments will be merged.
reshuffle

Used in contexts involving changes in positions or roles within an organization or group, often used in governmental or corporate settings. It usually carries a formal and sometimes negative connotation.

  • There was a cabinet reshuffle after the recent election.
  • The CEO ordered a reshuffle of the executive team.

Examples of usage

  • The rearrange of the books on the shelf made it easier to find what I was looking for.
  • The rearrange of the seating plan caused confusion among the guests.

Translations

Translations of the word "rearrange" in other languages:

🇵🇹 reorganizar

🇮🇳 पुनः व्यवस्थित करना

🇩🇪 neu ordnen

🇮🇩 mengatur ulang

🇺🇦 переставити

🇵🇱 przestawić

🇯🇵 再配置する

🇫🇷 réorganiser

🇪🇸 reorganizar

🇹🇷 yeniden düzenlemek

🇰🇷 재배열하다

🇸🇦 إعادة ترتيب

🇨🇿 přeskupit

🇸🇰 preusporiadať

🇨🇳 重新排列

🇸🇮 preurediti

🇮🇸 endurskipuleggja

🇰🇿 қайта орналастыру

🇬🇪 ხელახლა მოწყობა

🇦🇿 yenidən düzənləmək

🇲🇽 reorganizar

Etymology

The word 'rearrange' originated from the combination of 're-' meaning 'again' and 'arrange' meaning 'to put in order'. The concept of rearranging has been present throughout history in various contexts, such as organizing spaces, schedules, or ideas. The ability to rearrange allows for flexibility and optimization in different aspects of life and work.

See also: arrange, arrangeable, arranged, arrangement, arrangements, arranger, arrangers, arranges, arranging, disarrange, misarrange, misarrangement, prearranged, unarranged.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #20,422, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.