arrangement
noun (countable)
UK/əˈreɪndʒmənt/US/əˈreɪndʒmənt/
An agreement or understanding between parties.
Example Sentences
They reached an arrangement regarding the distribution of profits.
The landlord and tenant came to an arrangement on the lease terms.
An arrangement was made to share the responsibilities equally.
They negotiated an arrangement that satisfied both parties.
The business arrangement allowed them to collaborate on future projects.
She facilitated an arrangement between the two conflicting groups.
The arrangement included clauses to protect both parties' interests.
They formalized their arrangement with a written agreement.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
Antonyms
How to Use
A methodical setup or plan that puts items or tasks into a purposeful pattern or agreement.“Arrangement” typically refers to how items, tasks, or agreements are organized to achieve a desired outcome or visual layout. In everyday life, you might talk about a seating arrangement at a dinner party, ensuring guests can comfortably converse, or mention an arrangement of flowers placed aesthetically in a vase. When planning an event, you might make “arrangements” for catering, venue, and music, highlighting the coordinated efforts to ensure everything runs smoothly.In formal or business contexts, “arrangements” might refer to contractual or logistical details—like travel arrangements that involve booking flights, hotels, and itineraries, or a financial arrangement specifying repayment terms. The key idea is imposing structure or order to accomplish a goal or meet requirements. Whether discussing physical placement (as with furniture) or an agreed-upon plan (as with a work arrangement), “arrangement” signals a deliberate setup that aims to avoid chaos or misalignment. By clarifying roles, times, or structures, arrangements allow people or objects to fit together harmoniously.
Alternatives
In place of “arrangement,” you can sometimes use “plan,” “setup,” “organization,” or “layout.” “Plan” highlights the forward-looking aspect of preparation, while “setup” suggests how items or conditions are assembled for immediate use. “Organization” is broader, implying overall order or structure, and “layout” often focuses on the physical spacing or design aspect. If you want to stress the idea of an agreement, “agreement” or “understanding” might suit better, though these terms lack the physical connotation that “arrangement” sometimes carries. Each choice pinpoints different facets—logistical, spatial, or contractual—though “arrangement” neatly covers the notion of coordinating elements or schedules into a coherent whole.
Writing
When writing about an “arrangement,” be clear whether you refer to a physical setup, an event plan, or an agreement. For instance, in a descriptive text, you might say, “The floral arrangement on the table featured roses interspersed with baby’s breath, creating a soft romantic effect.” For logistical contexts, you might note, “They finalized the travel arrangements for the conference, booking flights and hotels well in advance.” In legal or professional documents, “arrangement” could denote a formal business or financial agreement—“The new payment arrangement extends the loan by six months.” Providing contextual clues helps readers understand the scope and focus of your reference.When discussing project management, outline how different “arrangements” are made—like distributing tasks among team members or scheduling resources. If you’re describing an agreement, specify terms and conditions that define how the parties will collaborate. Whether in a narrative, research paper, or manual, offer concrete details on who set up the arrangement, what elements it includes, and why it’s beneficial. A well-structured explanation shows readers how the arrangement fulfills a particular goal or function, making your text cohesive and informative.
Casual Conversation
In everyday conversation, people often say, “Let’s make some arrangements,” usually referring to plans or preparations for a future event—like meeting friends for dinner or planning a weekend trip. You might use “arrangement” to suggest a more organized approach to a task: “We need a better arrangement for these books—they’re all over the place!” Or you might mention, “I’m happy we came to an arrangement about chores,” indicating a mutually agreed plan at home.If you’re coordinating errands or events, phrases like “I have a few arrangements to finalize,” fit easily into casual talk, conveying that you have more details or scheduling to sort out. Friends might also talk about “making arrangements” after deciding what needs to be done, for instance, “We should make travel arrangements soon if we want decent flight prices.” Overall, in casual usage, “arrangement” typically stands for a structured plan or setup that clarifies responsibilities or logistics, easing everyday tasks or gatherings.
Etymology
“Arrangement” traces back to the verb “arrange,” which comes from Old French “arengier,” meaning “to put in order.” This, in turn, has roots in the Germanic “rang,” referring to a line or row. Over time, English adopted “arrange,” and “arrangement” grew to mean the act of systematically organizing elements or finalizing plans. Throughout history, the concept of placing things in rows—or lining up tasks and resources in a logical manner—has shaped how the word evolved. Today, whether describing a physical layout (like an arrangement of flowers) or a planned agreement (like scheduling commitments), it still emphasizes structured order or coherence.
