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. informal,  the habitual or usual drink, meal, etc

Other Word Forms

• usualness noun
• usually adverb

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.

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

He also starred as S.H.I.E.L.D agent Alexander Pierce in Captain America: The Winter Soldier, a film far removed from his usual fare.

From BBC

Sunday’s Emmy Awards had the usual mix of light-hearted moments and powerful speeches, along with some surprise wins in the acting categories.

From Los Angeles Times

In the usual hostile Turf Moor atmosphere, Burnley mounted fierce resistance and were superbly organised to frustrate Liverpool.

From BBC

Guardiola needed to refresh a playing squad that often lacked energy last season, and did so in his usual ruthless manner.

From BBC

The missing ingredient, as usual, had been the big hits needed to build a big inning.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• constant 
• conventional 
• current 
• customary 
• everyday 
• expected www.thesaurus.com
• familiar 
• frequent 
• natural 
• normal 
• prevailing 
• regular 
• routine