# ordinate

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈɔː(ɹ)dɪnət/ · frequency rank #32,524

## Definitions
1. The second of the two terms by which a point is referred to, in a system of fixed rectilinear coordinate (Cartesian coordinate) axes.
2. The vertical line representing an axis of a Cartesian coordinate system, on which the ordinate (sense above) is shown.

## Etymology
Partly inherited from Middle English ordinat(e) (adjective and participle), partly directly borrowed from Latin ōrdinātus, perfect passive participle of ōrdinō, see -ate (etymology 1, 2 and 3). Doublet of ordain.
Sense 5 of the verb is from a back-formation from ordination.

## Easily confused with
- **ornate** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ordinate-vs-ornate)
- **originate** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ordinate-vs-originate)
- **ordinator** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ordinate-vs-ordinator)
- **ordinal** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ordinal-vs-ordinate)
- **ordinary** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ordinary-vs-ordinate)
- **ordinance** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ordinance-vs-ordinate)

## Common misspellings (11)
`odrinate`, `orddinate`, `ordiante`, `ordinaet`, `ordinatte`, `ordinnate`, `ordintae`, `ordniate`, `oridnate`, `orrdinate`, `rodinate`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/ordinate