# oriented

/ˈɔɹiˌɛntəd/ (US) · /ˈɔːɹiəntɪd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/oriented
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. focused on a goal

adjective · CEFR B2

having a specific interest or goal as your main focus.

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

- The company is very profit-oriented and cares mostly about making money.
- The university's new curriculum is career-oriented, designed specifically to equip students with the practical skills required by modern industry.

### 2. physically positioned

adjective · CEFR B2

placed or pointed in a particular direction.

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

- The solar panels are oriented toward the south to catch the most sun.
- The ancient temple was precisely oriented toward the rising sun on the day of the summer solstice.

### 3. to find your way

verb · CEFR B2

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

For teachers: to familiarise oneself with new surroundings or circumstances; to determine one's position.

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

## Examples

- The new course is oriented toward career development.
- The company is very profit-oriented and rarely invests in projects that do not show immediate financial returns.
- In a service-oriented economy, the primary value is generated through human interaction and specialized expertise rather than the manufacturing of physical goods.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.