usual
Americanadjective
-
habitual or customary.
her usual skill.
- Synonyms:
- accustomed
-
commonly met with or observed in experience; ordinary.
the usual January weather.
- Synonyms:
- regular, familiar, prevalent, prevailing, general
-
commonplace; everyday.
He says the usual things.
- Synonyms:
- predictable
noun
idioms
adjective
noun
-
ordinary or commonplace events (esp in the phrase out of the usual )
-
informal the habitual or usual drink, meal, etc
Synonym Usage
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.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of usual
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Late Latin ūsuālis, equivalent to Latin ūsu-, stem of ūsus “use” ( see use (noun)) + -ālis -al 1; compare Old French usuel
Explanation
If a customer at a restaurant orders their usual, it means they're ordering the same thing they always get — nothing new, unexpected, or out of the ordinary. How's this? The word usual describes things that happen regularly or follow a familiar pattern. If you take the same route to school every day, that’s your usual way there. Usual can also apply to habits. For example, if you check the mail at the same time every day, then you have a usual time for checking the mail. Anything that is typical, regularly occurring, or expected can be described as usual.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Laurie Metcalf, confirming her standing as the First Lady of the American Theater, won for her portrayal of Linda Loman, a more formidable than usual interpretation of Willy’s stalwart wife.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 8, 2026
Sure enough, I had a scratch in my throat and was more tired than usual.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 7, 2026
With just days to go until the World Cup, you're probably hearing a lot more football chat than usual.
From BBC • Jun. 6, 2026
Of course, an investment in quantum comes with the usual disclaimers.
From Barron's • Jun. 3, 2026
I check my phone and find two messages from Dad and my stomach turns its usual cartwheel.
From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
