What does reorganise mean?
Reorganise is a British-English verb meaning to arrange something again, usually with the implication that its present order or structure is being replaced by a different, and often more effective, one. It is used broadly: a team may reorganise its workflow, a company may reorganise its departments, and a person may reorganise a collection, room, or set of priorities. The word suggests purposeful structural change rather than a minor adjustment; revise would usually describe a less thorough modification, while replace suggests putting something entirely new in place. In institutional contexts, reorganise can imply administrative or organisational change and may carry a formal tone, though it remains common in everyday speech. Its US spelling is reorganize, with the suffix pronounced the same way. Reorganise is useful when an existing arrangement is to be retained in substance but improved in organisation, sequence, or efficiency.
verbTo arrange or organize something again, typically by changing its order, structure, or arrangement of responsibilities.
- To arrange or organize something again in a new or more effective way.
- To restructure an organization, institution, or system by changing its hierarchy, order, or division of responsibilities.
"The committee will reorganise its work to make the decision-making process more efficient."
"The company plans to reorganise its departments before expanding into new markets."
"I spent the afternoon reorganising my notes so that the main arguments were easier to see."
Reorganise keeps the pieces but changes the pattern: a department, a workflow, or even a crowded shelf can all benefit from a better arrangement.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does reorganise come from?
Reorganise was formed in English by combining the prefix re- with organise, following the pattern also found in French réorganiser. Organise entered English from French organiser, from Latin organizare, a derivative of Greek organon, meaning “tool” or “instrument.” Related English words including organisation, organiser, and organic preserve this organ- root.
Related word forms
How reorganise is actually used
The standard British spelling is reorganise, while American and other -ize varieties normally use reorganize; the pronunciation is the same. The corresponding noun is reorganisation in British English and reorganization in American English.
Easily confused with reorganise
Organise means to arrange or establish something in an orderly way, whereas reorganise means to arrange an existing thing again, usually with structural changes.