Have you ever typed a sentence like “Please reorder the list” and then stopped to wonder whether it should be “Please re-order the list”? 🤔 You are not alone. The words reorder vs re-order can cause confusion because English often uses hyphens with prefixes such as re-, especially when writers want to make a word easier to read.
The good news is that the difference is much simpler than it looks. In modern standard English, reorder is the preferred one-word spelling in most situations. It can mean to arrange something in a different order or to order something again. Merriam-Webster lists reorder as both a verb and a noun, with meanings connected to arranging again or placing another order.
However, re-order is also found as an alternative spelling, particularly in some dictionaries and styles. Cambridge, for example, lists “re-order” as an alternative form of reorder.
So, if you are writing standard US English, reorder is generally the safest and cleanest choice. There Has Been vs There Have Been | In vs Within | Marquee vs Marquis
Quick Answer: Reorder vs Re-order
Reorder is the standard one-word spelling and is usually the best choice in modern US English. It means to arrange something differently or to order something again.
Re-order is an alternative hyphenated form that appears in some English references, but it is less common in modern general writing.
Best choice: ✅ reorder
Alternative form: ⚠️ re-order
For example:
- ✅ Please reorder the items by price.
- ✅ We need to reorder more printer paper.
- ⚠️ Please re-order the items by price.
The hyphenated version is understandable, but reorder is normally the better choice for everyday, academic, business, and digital writing.
Understanding the Basics of Reorder vs Re-order
The word reorder is formed from the prefix re- and the word order.
The prefix re- commonly means “again,” “back,” or “anew.” When combined with order, it creates reorder, meaning to order again or to put things into a different order.
Merriam-Webster defines reorder as a verb meaning “to arrange in a different way” or “to give a reorder for.” It also recognizes reorder as a noun referring to an order like a previous order placed with the same supplier.
Reorder vs Re-order Comparison Table
| Form | Type | Meaning | Example | Correct/Incorrect |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| reorder | Verb | Arrange differently | Please reorder the files by date. | ✅ Correct |
| reorder | Verb | Order something again | We need to reorder printer ink. | ✅ Correct |
| reorder | Noun | A repeated order | The store placed a reorder. | ✅ Correct |
| re-order | Verb | Arrange or order again | Please re-order the files. | ⚠️ Alternative |
| re-order | Noun | A repeated order | We received a re-order. | ⚠️ Alternative |
The important point is that re-order is not normally treated as a completely different word from reorder. The hyphen does not create a new meaning. It mainly changes the spelling.
What Does Reorder Mean?
Reorder has two major meanings.
1. To arrange something differently
You can use reorder when you change the sequence or arrangement of things.
For example:
Please reorder the paragraphs so the introduction comes first.
Here, the paragraphs already exist. You are simply changing their sequence.
Another example:
I reordered the files by date.
The files were already organized in some way, but their order was changed.
Sentence breakdown
I reordered the files by date.
- I = subject
- reordered = verb
- the files = object
- by date = tells us how the files were arranged
The meaning is simple: the speaker changed the order of the files according to their dates.
2. To order something again
Reorder can also mean to purchase or request something again.
For example:
We need to reorder office supplies.
This means the office needs to place another order for supplies.
Merriam-Webster gives both senses: arranging something in a different way and placing another order.
Oxford also lists reorder for asking someone to supply more of a product and for changing the order in which something is arranged.
More examples
- I need to reorder my business cards.
- The manager asked me to reorder the files.
- We should reorder the products before they sell out.
- She decided to reorder the steps in the presentation.
- The restaurant had to reorder several ingredients.
What Does Re-order Mean?
Re-order has essentially the same meaning as reorder.
The difference is the hyphen.
Some dictionaries recognize the hyphenated spelling as an alternative. Cambridge specifically lists re-order as an alternative form of reorder.
For example:
The company needs to reorder its supplies.
and
The company needs to re-order its supplies.
Both are understandable, and the second form appears in some English usage. However, modern general US English normally favors the closed form:
The company needs to reorder its supplies.
The one-word form looks cleaner and is the form you should generally choose when you do not have a specific style guide telling you otherwise.
Why Is Reorder Usually Preferred?
English has many words that began as a prefix plus another word. Over time, some combinations became established as single words.
The same pattern can be seen in words such as:
- rewrite
- reread
- rebuild
- reconsider
- reorganize
- rearrange
- reorder
We normally write these as one word.
The spelling reorder fits this modern pattern.
Merriam-Webster gives reorder as the dictionary headword rather than re-order.
This is a strong reason to prefer reorder in standard US English.
Compare these examples
- rewrite, not usually re-write
- reread, not usually re-read
- rebuild, not usually re-build
- reorder, not usually re-order
That does not mean hyphenated forms never appear. English spelling has exceptions, style preferences, and historical variations. But when a standard dictionary gives a closed form as the main entry, that form is generally the safest choice.
Reorder as a Verb
The most common use of reorder is as a verb.
A verb describes an action, and reorder describes the action of arranging or ordering something again.
Example 1: Changing an arrangement
Please reorder the list alphabetically.
Here, reorder means “put the list into a different order.”
Example 2: Buying again
We need to reorder the same product.
Here, reorder means “buy or request the product again.”
Example 3: Changing priorities
The company had to reorder its priorities.
Here, the company is changing which priorities come first.
Example 4: Changing a schedule
The teacher decided to reorder the activities.
The activities remain the same, but their sequence changes.
Reorder as a Noun
Reorder can also be a noun, especially in business and retail contexts.
A reorder is an additional or repeated order for products.
For example:
The supplier received a reorder from the store.
Here, reorder is not an action. It refers to the order itself.
Merriam-Webster lists this noun meaning as an order like a previous order placed with the same supplier.
More examples
- The warehouse received a large reorder.
- Our biggest customer placed a reorder.
- The supplier processed the reorder yesterday.
- We are waiting for the next reorder.
Reorder in Different Verb Forms
Because reorder is a normal verb, it follows regular English verb patterns.
| Verb Form | Example |
|---|---|
| Base form | I will reorder the products. |
| Third-person singular | She reorders supplies every month. |
| Present participle | We are reordering the items. |
| Past tense | He reordered the files. |
| Past participle | The products have been reordered. |
Notice something important: the hyphen is not needed when the word changes form.
We normally write:
- reordered
- reordering
- reorders
rather than:
- re-ordered
- re-ordering
- re-orders
The closed forms are natural and widely used.
Oxford lists reorder, reorders, reordered, and reordering as the standard verb forms.
Reorder vs Re-order in Professional Writing
Professional writing benefits from consistency.
Suppose you are writing an email to your manager:
I will reorder the documents according to the new instructions.
This is clean, direct, and professional.
You could also write:
I will re-order the documents according to the new instructions.
Readers will understand it, but the hyphen is unnecessary in most modern contexts.
Better professional examples
Please reorder the files before Friday.
We need to reorder the supplies this week.
I have reordered the information according to priority.
The purchasing department will reorder the missing items.
These sentences are simple and clear.
Reorder vs Re-order in Everyday Conversation
In everyday conversation, the spelling is not normally visible because people speak the word rather than write it.
You might say:
“Can we reorder the pizza?”
or
“I need to reorder my coffee.”
The pronunciation does not normally change simply because a writer adds a hyphen.
That means the real issue is written style, not pronunciation.
When writing a text message, email, note, or social media post, reorder is usually the easiest choice.
Reorder vs Re-order in Creative Writing
Creative writers sometimes use punctuation to control readability, rhythm, or emphasis.
A writer may choose re-order because the visual separation makes the prefix easier to notice.
For example:
The revolution would re-order the entire social system.
However, this is a stylistic choice rather than a requirement.
If you are writing ordinary prose, reorder is generally cleaner:
The revolution would reorder the entire social system.
Creative writing allows more stylistic freedom, but consistency still matters. If you choose a particular spelling for a deliberate reason, use it consistently throughout the work.
Reorder vs Re-order in Social Media and Texting
Social media writing is usually informal, so people may use either form.
You might see:
Need to reorder these items ASAP!
Or:
Need to re-order these items ASAP!
The first version is more streamlined.
Because social media rewards short, easy-to-read writing, the closed form reorder is usually preferable.
Examples:
- “I need to reorder my favorite snacks.”
- “Time to reorder the playlist.”
- “Can we reorder these photos?”
- “Just reordered my usual coffee.”
A Simple Test Tip
Test Tip: Remove the Hyphen
When you are unsure about reorder vs re-order, try removing the hyphen.
Ask yourself:
Does “reorder” still clearly communicate the meaning?
If yes, use reorder.
For example:
Please reorder the pages.
The sentence is completely clear.
You do not need the hyphen to show that re- means “again.”
Another useful test is to look at the dictionary form. If the dictionary gives reorder as the main entry, that is a strong signal that the closed spelling is standard.
Merriam-Webster lists reorder as the main entry and gives its meanings and verb forms without a hyphen.
Grammar Rules Behind Reorder
The important rule here is not really a grammar rule. It is mainly a spelling and hyphenation issue.
Grammar determines how the word functions in a sentence.
Spelling determines whether we write:
reorder
or
re-order
The word reorder functions as a normal verb or noun.
For example:
Please reorder the books.
Here, reorder is a verb.
The store placed a reorder.
Here, reorder is a noun.
Merriam-Webster recognizes both uses.
The hyphenated spelling is an alternative form in some references. Cambridge lists re-order alongside reorder, showing that the alternative exists in English usage.
Therefore, it would be too strong to say that re-order is universally “wrong.” A more accurate statement is:
Reorder is the preferred standard spelling in modern general US English, while re-order is an accepted alternative in some dictionaries and styles.
That distinction is important.
What Does Merriam-Webster Say?
Merriam-Webster lists reorder as a dictionary entry and defines it as a verb meaning to arrange something in a different way or to give a reorder for. It also lists reorder as a noun.
Its examples include uses such as reordering priorities and ordering products again.
The word has a long history. Merriam-Webster gives its first known use as a verb in 1579.
The fact that reorder has been established for centuries helps explain why the one-word spelling is now so natural.
The Associated Press also identifies Merriam-Webster as its primary reference for spelling, style, and usage.
Does Re-order Ever Make Sense?
Yes. It can appear as an alternative spelling.
Cambridge lists re-order as an alternative form of reorder.
This means you may encounter it in:
- British English resources
- older publications
- specialized writing
- individual style guides
- documents that prefer visible prefixes
- some software or interface labels
However, seeing re-order does not mean you should automatically use it.
If you are writing a general US English article, blog post, business email, school assignment, or professional document, reorder is normally the safest option.
Common Mistakes With Reorder vs Re-order
Why do writers make this mistake?
There are several common reasons.
1. Fast typing
When people type quickly, they often insert hyphens automatically because they know re- is a prefix.
They may think:
re + order = re-order
The logic is understandable, but English spelling does not always preserve the visible boundary between a prefix and a root word.
2. Autocorrect
Autocorrect and spell-check tools can sometimes create confusion.
One program may accept reorder, while another may recognize re-order as an alternative. This can make writers think both spellings have completely different meanings.
They usually do not.
3. Lack of knowledge
Some writers simply have not encountered the word often enough to know which form is standard.
That is normal. English has many words with uncertain hyphenation.
4. Influence from other words
Writers may remember words such as:
- re-create
- re-enter
- re-examine
and assume that every re- word needs a hyphen.
That is not true.
English hyphenation depends on the particular word, the dictionary, the style guide, and sometimes the possibility of confusion.
Similar Grammar and Spelling Confusions
Reorder vs re-order is part of a much larger group of English writing questions.
| Confusion | Correct Standard Form | Main Issue |
|---|---|---|
| it’s vs its | Depends on meaning | Contraction vs possessive |
| your vs you’re | Depends on meaning | Possessive vs contraction |
| their vs they’re | Depends on meaning | Possessive vs contraction |
| affect vs effect | Depends on function | Verb vs noun and meaning |
| everyday vs every day | Depends on function | Adjective vs phrase |
| setup vs set up | Depends on function | Noun/adjective vs verb |
| login vs log in | Depends on function | Noun/adjective vs verb |
| reorder vs re-order | reorder usually preferred | Closed vs hyphenated spelling |
| altogether vs all together | Depends on meaning | One word vs phrase |
| awhile vs a while | Depends on grammar | Adverb vs noun phrase |
The lesson is simple: do not decide spelling based only on how a word sounds.
Usage in Different Contexts
Everyday Conversation
Use reorder when writing about arranging something again or ordering something again.
I need to reorder my usual meal.
Can you reorder these photos?
Let’s reorder the list.
The one-word spelling is natural and easy to read.
Professional Writing
Reorder is the recommended general choice.
We need to reorder the inventory before Monday.
Please reorder the spreadsheet columns by date.
The manager asked us to reorder the priorities.
This form looks polished and consistent.
Academic Writing
Academic writing should favor established dictionary forms and consistent style.
The researcher decided to reorder the variables.
The paragraphs were reordered to improve the argument.
Avoid adding a hyphen simply because re- is a prefix.
Creative Writing
Both forms may appear, depending on the writer’s preferred style.
Still, reorder is usually the cleaner choice:
She wanted to reorder the memories in her mind.
Social Media and Texting
Informal writing may contain either version, but reorder is shorter.
Just reordered my playlist 😂
Need to reorder this stuff before it sells out!
Why Reorder vs Re-order Matters
At first, this may seem like a tiny spelling question. After all, both forms are easy to understand.
But small spelling choices matter when you want your writing to look polished.
1. Clarity
A consistent spelling makes reading easier.
Please reorder the sections.
is simple and direct.
2. Professionalism
Business readers expect standard spelling and consistent style.
Using the dictionary-preferred form can make your writing look more polished.
3. Digital communication
Blogs, websites, emails, product descriptions, and online documentation benefit from consistent word forms.
Search engines can understand variations, but human readers still benefit from familiar spelling.
4. Editing accuracy
Professional editors need to know when a hyphen is necessary and when it is not.
Choosing reorder avoids unnecessary punctuation in most standard US English writing.
“Good writing removes distractions.”
The goal is not to use more punctuation. The goal is to communicate clearly.
Special Exception: Style Guides and Alternative Forms
There is an important exception.
English style is not controlled by one universal authority. Different dictionaries, publishers, countries, and style guides can make different recommendations.
Cambridge recognizes re-order as an alternative form of reorder.
Therefore, if your employer, publisher, school, or client has a specific style guide that uses re-order, follow that guide.
Consistency is often more important than personal preference.
For example, if a company’s internal documentation consistently uses re-order, changing every instance to reorder may create unnecessary inconsistency.
But if no style guide applies, reorder is the stronger default choice for modern US English.
Reorder vs Re-order in American English
For US English, reorder is the best general recommendation.
Merriam-Webster’s US dictionary entry uses reorder as the headword.
Oxford’s American English dictionary also gives reorder as the standard form.
That makes the choice easy for most American English writing:
Prefer:
reorder
Usually avoid unless a style guide calls for it:
re-order
This is especially useful for:
- SEO articles
- websites
- blogs
- business emails
- school assignments
- resumes
- reports
- product descriptions
- technical documentation
Examples: Correct Usage of Reorder
Here are practical examples showing different meanings.
Arranging something again
Please reorder the names alphabetically.
Changing priorities
The company needs to reorder its priorities.
Ordering a product again
We need to reorder printer cartridges.
Repeating a business order
The customer placed a reorder yesterday.
Changing a presentation
I decided to reorder the slides.
Changing a list
You can reorder the items by dragging them.
Changing steps
The teacher asked us to reorder the instructions.
Buying more supplies
The office will reorder paper next week.
Examples: Re-order as an Alternative
You may occasionally see:
Please re-order the list.
We need to re-order the supplies.
The system allows users to re-order the items.
These are understandable and appear in some English references. Cambridge explicitly recognizes re-order as an alternative form.
However, for a standard US English article, the preferred version is:
Please reorder the list.
We need to reorder the supplies.
The system allows users to reorder the items.
A Quick Comparison
| Sentence | Recommendation | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Please reorder the files. | ✅ Preferred | Standard closed form |
| Please re-order the files. | ⚠️ Alternative | Hyphenated variant |
| We need to reorder supplies. | ✅ Preferred | Standard verb |
| We need to re-order supplies. | ⚠️ Alternative | Recognized variant |
| She reordered the list. | ✅ Preferred | Standard past tense |
| She re-ordered the list. | ⚠️ Less common | Hyphenated alternative |
| The store placed a reorder. | ✅ Preferred | Standard noun |
| The store placed a re-order. | ⚠️ Alternative | Hyphenated noun form |
Quick Recap Checklist
Use this checklist whenever you are unsure.
| Question | If Yes → Use |
|---|---|
| Are you writing standard US English? | reorder |
| Do you mean “arrange differently”? | reorder |
| Do you mean “order again”? | reorder |
| Are you using a company style guide that requires a hyphen? | re-order |
| Does a specific publication prefer the hyphen? | re-order |
| Are you writing without a special style requirement? | reorder |
Practice Examples
1. Please ___ the paragraphs so the conclusion comes last.
Answer: reorder
Please reorder the paragraphs so the conclusion comes last.
2. We need to ___ more printer paper.
Answer: reorder
We need to reorder more printer paper.
3. The company style guide specifically requires “re-order.”
Answer: re-order
This last example shows why style guides matter.
FAQs
1. Is “reorder” one word?
Yes. Reorder is a standard one-word English word. Merriam-Webster lists it as both a verb and a noun.
2. Is “re-order” wrong?
Not necessarily. Re-order is an alternative spelling found in some dictionaries, including Cambridge. However, reorder is generally the better choice for modern standard US English.
3. Which is better, reorder or re-order?
Reorder is usually better. It is the main dictionary form in Merriam-Webster and the standard form in Oxford’s American English dictionary.
4. Does reorder mean “order again”?
Yes. Reorder can mean to order something again, such as products or supplies.
We need to reorder the paper.
It can also mean to arrange something differently.
Please reorder the list.
5. Is “reorder” a verb or a noun?
It can be both.
As a verb:
Please reorder the files.
As a noun:
The supplier received a reorder.
Merriam-Webster recognizes both uses.
6. Should I use “reorder” in professional writing?
Yes. Reorder is the safest general choice for professional US English writing unless your organization’s style guide specifically requires re-order.
Conclusion
When deciding between reorder vs re-order, the simplest rule is to choose reorder in most modern US English writing. It is the standard one-word spelling used by major dictionary references such as Merriam-Webster and Oxford’s American English dictionary.
Reorder can mean to arrange something in a different sequence or to order something again. For example, you can reorder a list, reorder your priorities, or reorder office supplies.
The hyphenated form re-order is not meaningless or universally wrong. It exists as an alternative spelling and is recognized by references such as Cambridge. However, unless a particular style guide asks for the hyphen, the closed form is cleaner and more natural.
So remember the easy rule:
When in doubt, use “reorder.” ✅
A small hyphen may seem unimportant, but choosing the standard form helps your writing stay clear, consistent, and professional.
Hi, I’m Jonathan Reed, a language researcher and contributor at Gramcora. My focus is on English grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure, helping readers communicate more clearly and confidently.
