orient

Universal Words (BrE also orientate) verb [VN] 1 [usuallypassive] ~ sb/sth (to / towards sb/sth) to direct sb/sth towards sth; to make or adapt sb/sth for a particular purpose: Our students are oriented towards science subjects. * We run a commercially oriented operation. * profit-orientated organizations * Neither of them is politically oriented (= interested in politics). * policies oriented to the needs of working mothers 2 ~ yourself to find your position in relation to your surroundings: The mountaineers found it hard to orient themselves in the fog. 3 ~ yourself to make yourself familiar with a new situation: It took him some time to orient himself in his new school. compareDISORIENTATE