out of order

/aʊt əv ˈɔːdə/
Add to My Dictionary
In My Dictionary
+1
Not working or broken.

Examples

  • The numbers on the board are out of order, making the calculation hard.
  • The protest turned out of order when the crowd started throwing objects.
  • The chapters in the draft are out of order, so the story is confusing.
  • The website's login page is out of order, please try later.
  • The steps in the recipe are out of order, causing the cake to collapse.

Similar words

out of sequence
down
inoperative
jumbled
inappropriate
malfunctioning
disorderly
misordered
improper
unseemly

Meanings

Not working or broken

everyday
neutral
Used to say that a device, machine, or service cannot be used because it is not functioning.

Examples

  • The vending machine is out of order, so we can't buy a snack.
  • When I tried to print, the printer was out of order.
  • The elevator has been out of order for two days.
  • Sorry, the restroom is out of order right now.
  • The website's login page is out of order, please try later.

Similar words

Improper or disorderly behavior

social
neutral
Used to describe actions or speech that are not appropriate or are chaotic.

Examples

  • His jokes were out of order, making everyone uncomfortable.
  • She shouted out of order during the meeting, breaking the rules.
  • The protest turned out of order when the crowd started throwing objects.
  • His comments were out of order for a formal dinner.
  • The teacher told the students that their chatter was out of order.

Similar words

Not in the correct sequence

technical
neutral
Used when items or steps are arranged incorrectly or are out of their proper order.

Examples

  • The chapters in the draft are out of order, so the story is confusing.
  • Your files are out of order; please sort them by date.
  • The steps in the recipe are out of order, causing the cake to collapse.
  • The playlist is out of order, the songs don't follow the intended sequence.
  • The numbers on the board are out of order, making the calculation hard.

Similar words

Etymology

A fixed expression built from ordinary words whose combination has become conventional.

FAQ

What does out of order mean?

It means not working or broken.

How is out of order used to describe a broken machine?

It is used to say a device cannot be used because it is not functioning.

Can out of order refer to someone's behavior?

Yes, it can describe behavior that is inappropriate or chaotic.

What is the difference between out of order and broken?

When you mean a broken machine, out of order is similar to broken, but the phrase is usually seen on signs.

When should I put a sign that says out of order?

Put the sign on a machine that cannot be used.

Is out of order appropriate for describing a service that is unavailable?

Yes, you can label a service as out of order when it is unavailable.

Does out of order mean items are in the wrong sequence?

It can also mean items are misordered or not in the correct sequence.

What are common synonyms for out of order when talking about a malfunction?

Synonyms for the malfunction sense include broken, malfunctioning, inoperative, and down.

How does out of order differ from disorderly in a social context?

In a social context, out of order refers to inappropriate or disorderly behavior, unlike the technical sense.

Comments & contributions

Know this word from another angle? Add a correction, a nuance, or a usage note. New posts go public after a quick review.
Posting as a guest · Sign in
No comments yet. Be the first to add one.
Look up word or phrase...