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Orderly vs Thorough - What's the difference?

orderly | thorough | Related terms |

In obsolete terms the difference between orderly and thorough

is that orderly is in order; in a particular order or succession; with a suitable arrangement while thorough is through.

As adjectives the difference between orderly and thorough

is that orderly is neat and tidy; possessing order while thorough is painstaking and careful not to miss or omit any detail.

As nouns the difference between orderly and thorough

is that orderly is a hospital attendant given a variety of non-medical duties while thorough is a furrow between two ridges, to drain off the surface water.

As an adverb orderly

is according to good order or practice; appropriately, in a well-behaved way.

As a preposition thorough is

through.

orderly

English

(wikipedia orderly)

Alternative forms

* ordrely (obsolete)

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Neat and tidy; possessing order.
    • He has always kept an orderly kitchen, with nothing out of place.
  • Methodical or systematic.
    • We live in an orderly universe, where rules govern both the movements of planets and the binding of molecules.
  • Peaceful; well-behaved.
    • An orderly gathering of citizens stood on the corner awaiting the bus.
  • Being on duty; keeping order; conveying orders.
  • * Sir Walter Scott
    • aids-de-camp and orderly men

    Derived terms

    * orderliness

    Noun

    (orderlies)
  • A hospital attendant given a variety of non-medical duties.
  • A soldier who carries out minor tasks for a superior officer.

    • Adverb

    (en adverb)
  • * Shakespeare
    • You are blunt; go to it orderly .
  • (obsolete) In order; in a particular order or succession; with a suitable arrangement.
  • *, II.12:
    • Thus orderly marshaled, they take their course and swim whither their journey tends, as broad and wide behind as before.
  • * 1624 , , Generall Historie , in Kupperman 1988, p.149:
    • And in the Tombe which is an arch made of mats, they lay them orderly .

    thorough

    English

    Etymology 1

    (etyl) .

    Alternative forms

    * thoro

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • painstaking and careful not to miss or omit any detail
    • The Prime Minister announced a thorough investigation into the death of a father of two in police custody.
    He is the most thorough worker I have ever seen.
    The infested house needs a thorough cleansing before it will be inhabitable.
  • utter; complete; absolute
    • It is a thorough pleasure to see him beg for mercy.
    Derived terms
    * thoroughbred * thoroughgoing * thoroughly

    Etymology 2

    A disyllabic form of (etyl) .

    Preposition

    (English prepositions)
  • (obsolete) Through.
  • * , II.xii:
    • Ye might haue seene the frothy billowes fry / Vnder the ship, as thorough them she went [...].
  • * 1599 , , V. i. 109:
    • You are contented to be led in triumph / Thorough the streets of Rome?

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (UK, dialect) A furrow between two ridges, to drain off the surface water.
    • (Halliwell)