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out of ordernot working properly; broken or malfunctioning

Part of speech: ADJECTIVE

Definition: not working properly; broken or malfunctioning

Pronunciation (IPA): /aʊt əv ˈɔːrdər/

Example Sentences

  • The coffee machine has been out of order for three weeks - I'm going through caffeine withdrawal!
  • The printer is out of order again, so I guess we're going back to the stone age.
  • His rude interruption during the meeting was totally out of order.

out of order

ADJECTIVE

[/aʊt əv ˈɔːrdər/]

not working properly; broken or malfunctioning

The office printer is out of order again, so everyone groans at the warning sign.
💡 Concept

The office printer is out of order again, so everyone groans at the warning sign.

Out of order recorder brings total disorder!
🎵 Rhyme

Out of order recorder brings total disorder!

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/aʊt əv ˈɔːrdər/
🇬🇧 UK/aʊt əv ˈɔːdə(r)/

🌳Etymology

Origin

The word 'order' derives from Latin 'ordo', meaning arrangement or sequence. The phrase 'out of order' emerged in Middle English to describe something that deviates from proper sequence or functioning.

Breakdown

out (away from) + of (belonging to) + order (arrangement or proper sequence, from Latin ordo). The phrase literally means 'away from proper arrangement'.

🎵Rhyme

borderdisorderrecorder
border
disorder
recorder

🔗Collocations

out of order sign
machine out of order
completely out of order
temporarily out of order
out of order behavior

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

The coffee machine has been out of order for three weeks - I'm going through caffeine withdrawal!

😄 Fun example

The printer is out of order again, so I guess we're going back to the stone age.

His rude interruption during the meeting was totally out of order.

😄 Fun example

The ATM is out of order, leaving me financially stranded like a penguin in the desert.

📚Related Words

Synonyms

brokenmalfunctioningfaultydefectiveinappropriate

Antonyms

workingfunctionalproper

Related

malfunctionbreakdowndisorderdysfunction

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