noun

chronological order

kron-uh-LOJ-ih-kuhl OR-der

Chronological order (noun) means an arrangement of events, items or records by time, starting with the earliest and moving forward to the most recent. Example: “List your jobs in chronological order, beginning with your first.”

noun

An arrangement of events, items or records by time, starting with the earliest and moving forward to the most recent.

"List your jobs in chronological order, beginning with your first."

"The exhibition presents her paintings in chronological order across four rooms."

How to use chronological order

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishPutting things in the order they happened, earliest first.

When to use it

Neutral; common in education, admin and publishing.

Memory tip

The preposition is in: arrange them in chronological order, not by chronological order.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

reverse chronological order sequential order alphabetical order

Common pairings

in chronological order strict chronological order reverse chronological order arrange in chronological order

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Test yourself on “chronological order” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

List your jobs in _____, beginning with your first.

Etymology

From Greek khronos 'time' and logos 'account, study', via chronology.

Origin: Greek

Synonyms

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time order sequential order date order

Antonyms

reverse chronological order random order

Rhymes for chronological order

order border disorder recorder camcorder tricorder

See all rhymes for chronological order →

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between chronological and reverse chronological order?

Chronological order runs oldest to newest. Reverse chronological order runs newest to oldest. CVs, blogs and bank statements normally use reverse chronological order so the most recent and relevant material appears first.

Should a CV be in chronological order?

Almost always reverse chronological — current or most recent role at the top. Employers scan for what you are doing now, so burying it under a first Saturday job costs you attention.

Is chronological order the same as sequential order?

Not quite. Chronological order is specifically ordered by time. Sequential order means following any defined sequence, which might be steps in a process, alphabetical position or numbered parts — time is only one possibility.

What is the meaning of chronological order?

"chronological order" (noun) means an arrangement of events, items or records by time, starting with the earliest and moving forward to the most recent.