oriented

Having a particular aim, interest, or group of people as the main focus.

• Our team is customer oriented.
• Her approach is oriented toward practical results.
• The course is career oriented.

How to use it: oriented toward something (The programme is oriented toward young adults.); oriented to something (Our work is oriented to the needs of local families.)

Similar words: focused, directed

Common phrases: oriented toward something, results oriented, customer oriented

Positioned so that it faces or points in a particular direction.

• The panels are oriented south.
• Keep the arrow oriented toward the exit.
• The building is oriented to catch morning sunlight.

How to use it: oriented toward something (The windows are oriented toward the garden.)

Similar words: positioned, aligned

Common phrases: oriented toward something, oriented north, vertically oriented

Familiar with a place or subject after receiving information about it.

• The new staff are fully oriented.
• After the tour, I felt oriented to the campus.
• Newly oriented students found their classrooms easily.

How to use it: oriented to something (The trainees are now oriented to the workplace.)

Similar words: familiar, informed

Common phrases: newly oriented staff, fully oriented, oriented to something

Having a mathematical rule that distinguishes opposite directions, such as clockwise and anticlockwise.

• The diagram shows an oriented curve.
• We studied an oriented surface in class.
• Each oriented manifold has a chosen orientation.

Common phrases: oriented surface, oriented manifold, oriented curve