WordGarden.ioreorient
C1Pronunciation
UK
- /rɪˈɔːriənt/
US
- /riˈɔriɛnt/
Meanings
Verb
to turn, position, or find bearings again in relation to a different direction or surroundings
to shift attention, priorities, or plans toward a different direction or goal
Beyond the definition
Imagine a ship lost at sea during a storm. Once the weather clears, the captain needs to reorient - figure out which way is north again and set a new course. That's what "reorient" means: to find the right direction or view again after confusion or change.
You might reorient yourself after moving to a new city, taking time to learn the streets and feel at home. Or a company might reorient its strategy if its old plan is not working. It is about getting your bearings again, whether physically or mentally. Think of it as resetting your internal compass.
To reorient means to change the direction, position, or point of view of something - or yourself - so it fits a new situation better. It often suggests that someone was confused, thrown off, or no longer properly aligned, and then had to find the right position again. For example: "After the earthquake, residents had to reorient themselves to their surroundings," meaning they needed to understand how the landscape had changed and where things were now.
Reorient can be used literally to describe physical direction. "The map helped us reorient ourselves in the forest." But it is often used figuratively, referring to a change in thinking or priorities. "The new evidence forced him to reorient his understanding of the case" means he had to change his view based on new information.
Businesses also use "reorient" when discussing strategy. "The company decided to reorient its marketing efforts toward younger consumers." This suggests that it is shifting its focus and approach.
It is a useful word for adaptation, adjustment, and finding your way again after disruption or change. It is not just about changing direction; it is about deliberately finding a new one. So when something needs to be brought back into alignment, or someone needs to adjust their thinking, they need to reorient.
Examples
- 1
Physical direction
She stopped for a moment to reorient herself after getting off the train.
- 2
Returning to routine
It took me a few days to reorient to life back at school.
- Patternreorient to + situation
get used to that situation again
- 3
Maps
The guide asked everyone to reorient their maps before the hike started.
- 4
Business strategy
The company is reorienting its business toward online sales.
- Patternreorient something toward + goal/focus
change its main direction or focus
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Life change
After becoming a parent, he had to reorient his whole life around a very different schedule.
- Patternreorient something around + central thing
organize it in a new way with that as the center
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
- disorient
- stay the course
Used with (collocations)
- reorient yourself
- reorient toward
- reorient strategy
- reorient priorities
Word family
Explore
- course correction
- strategic pivot
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- reorientverb