English Reference
adjective · verb

oriented

adj. · v.
US /ˈɔɹiˌɛntəd/ UK /ˈɔːɹiəntɪd/ ori·ent·ed

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate

    adj.having a specific interest or goal as your main focus.

    adj.having a particular focus, interest, or guiding principle; frequently used in compound adjectives.

    Simple

    The company is very profit-oriented and cares mostly about making money.

    In context

    The university's new curriculum is career-oriented, designed specifically to equip students with the practical skills required by modern industry.

  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate

    adj.placed or pointed in a particular direction.

    adj.positioned or aligned in a specific direction relative to the points of a compass or other landmarks.

    Simple

    The solar panels are oriented toward the south to catch the most sun.

    In context

    The ancient temple was precisely oriented toward the rising sun on the day of the summer solstice.

  3. 03 B2 Upper Intermediate

    v.to find your position or get used to a new situation.

    v.to familiarise oneself with new surroundings or circumstances; to determine one's position.

    Simple

    It took me a few days to orient myself in the large city.

    In context

    New employees are given a week to orient themselves with the company's internal software and reporting structures.

    Usage

    Often used in the reflexive form 'to orient oneself'.

    confusedisorient

An 850-meter-long (2,800-foot-long) row was oriented toward the northern limit for the rising midwinter full moon on the earliest date, Henriksson notes in his paper.

Phys.org· 10 Sept 2026

As everybody knows, this is code for “Clara is not detail oriented”.

The Guardian· 7 Sept 2026
This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Common
Updated