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

• usually adverb
• usualness 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.

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

The park, which remains open for business as usual while a new owner is sought, has 36 rides and activities along with more than large-scale 90 dinosaurs - some fibreglass, some animatronic.

From BBC

But, given his huge profile, interrupting his usual feed on X - usually promoting his videos - to speak about this is significant.

From BBC

This party, so often and for so long the dominating force in British politics, is a shrivelled version of its usual self.

From BBC

Machines have been shut down, parts set to be shipped out piled high and most staff sent home on 80% of their usual pay.

From BBC

It didn't take long for the usual chants to kick in at Falkirk, especially after the hosts equalised with 17 minutes left.

From BBC

Related Words

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