usual

[ yoo-zhoo-uhl, yoozh-wuhl ]

adjective

1. habitual or customary:

   her usual skill.

   Synonyms: accustomed

2. commonly met with or observed in experience; ordinary:

   the usual January weather.

   Synonyms: regular, familiar, prevalent, prevailing, general

3. commonplace; everyday:

   He says the usual things.

   Synonyms: predictable

noun

1. something that is usual:

   He could expect only the usual.

usual

/ ˈjuːʒʊəl /

adjective

1. of the most normal, frequent, or regular type; customary

   that's the usual sort of application to send

noun

1. ordinary or commonplace events (esp in the phrase out of the usual )
2. the usual informal.
   the habitual or usual drink, meal, etc

Derived Forms

• ˈusualness, noun

Other Words From

• usu·al·ly adverb
• usu·al·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of usual¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Late Latin ūsuālis, equivalent to Latin ūsu-, stem of ūsus “use” ( use (noun)) + -ālis -al ¹; compare Old French usuel

Word History and Origins

Origin of usual¹

C14: from Late Latin ūsuālis ordinary, from Latin ūsus use

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. as usual, in the customary or usual manner:

   As usual, he forgot my birthday.

More idioms and phrases containing usual

see as usual ; business as usual .

Synonym Study

Usual, customary, habitual refer to a settled and constant practice. Usual indicates something that is to be expected by reason of previous experience, which shows it to occur more often than not: There were the usual crowds at the celebration. Something that is customary is in accordance with prevailing usage or individual practice: It is customary to finish up with a bonfire. That which is habitual has become settled or constant as the result of habit on the part of the individual: The merchants wore habitual smiles throughout the season.

Example Sentences

In an emotional tribute, the UUP politician said Mr Reid had faced his illness “with his usual good humour”.

From BBC

In addition to spin polarizing half the fuels, the percentage of deuterium would be increased from the usual amount of roughly 60% or more.

From Science Daily

He was also forced to log even more mileage than usual.

From Los Angeles Times

The fight has spilled into public view, with advisers such as billionaire Elon Musk promoting Lutnick for the position and criticising one of the alternative candidates, Scott Bessent, as too "business as usual".

From BBC

Humanity cannot afford business as usual when donor dollars are underutilized, especially when we have a time-sensitive opportunity to save lives.

From Salon

Related Words

• constant
• conventional
• current
• customary
• everyday
• expected
• familiar
• frequent
• natural
• normal
• prevailing
• regular
• routine