verb Uncommon

orient

AW-rih-uhnt

Orient (verb) means to figure out your position or direction, or to position something to face a certain way. Example: “She used the stars to orient herself in the dark forest.”

verb

To figure out your position or direction, or to position something to face a certain way.

"She used the stars to orient herself in the dark forest."

"The building was oriented so its windows caught the morning sun."

To introduce someone to a new situation or familiarize them with it.

"New employees spend their first day being oriented to company policy."

noun

The east, or the direction where the sun rises (a more literary/formal usage).

"The poem describes light spreading from the orient at dawn."

How to Use Orient

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo find your bearings or position something/someone correctly — literally (compass directions) or figuratively (getting used to a new situation).

Common mistake

"Orientate" means the same thing and is common in British English, but "orient" is shorter and preferred in most style guides.

Easily confused with

orientate

Common pairings

orient yourself orient toward newly oriented employees

Word Forms

oriented past tense, orients plural, Orients plural, orients singular

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

She used the stars to _____ herself in the dark forest.

Etymology

From Latin oriens, "rising" — the present participle of orior, "to rise" — since the sun rises in the east, "orient" came to mean both "east" and, as a verb, "to figure out which way you're facing."

Origin: Latin

Synonyms

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point East tailor orientate eastern hemisphere

Related Words

point head line level position issue east stage

Rhymes for orient

client ancient patient salient ambient lenient quotient obedient nutrient gradient sentient ebullient

See all rhymes for orient →

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “orient” mean?

The word “orient” means to figure out your position or direction, or to position something to face a certain way. In plain terms, to find your bearings or position something/someone correctly — literally (compass directions) or figuratively (getting used to a new situation).

How do you pronounce “orient”?

“Orient” is pronounced AW-rih-uhnt (/ˈɔɹ.i.ənt/ in IPA).

How do you use “orient” in a sentence?

Here is “orient” used in a sentence: “She used the stars to orient herself in the dark forest.”

What part of speech is “orient”?

Depending on how it is used, “orient” can be a verb and a noun.

Where does the word “orient” come from?

The word “orient” comes from Latin. From Latin oriens, "rising" — the present participle of orior, "to rise" — since the sun rises in the east, "orient" came to mean both "east" and, as a verb, "to figure out which way you're facing.".

Is “orient” a common word?

“Orient” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “orient” have?

“Orient” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to figure out your position or direction, or to position something to face a certain way.

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