In fact, both words are acceptable according to the dictionaries. The Oxford English Dictionary and the Merriam-Webster Dictionary list “orient” and “orientate” as verbs meaning the same thing. ... The key thing to remember is that both forms of the verb are generally acceptable.

Is orientate correct?

Orient as a verb means to "find direction" or "give direction." The noun form of this kind of orienting is orientation. Sometimes people in their speech will form an imagined verb from orientation and say orientate. ... The correct word is the verb orient. Incorrect: Melanie is helping me get orientated to the new job.

Why do Americans say oriented instead of orientated?

Orientate is standard in British English, you orientate something when you point it in a particular direction, hence orientated. In American English, you orient something, hence oriented. suggests it is more widely accepted in the UK than in the US but should be avoided in formal writing.