First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1usual
adjective usu·al \ˈyü-zhə-wəl, -zhəl; ˈyüzh-wəl\
: done, found, or used most of the time or in most cases : normal or regular
Full Definition of USUAL
1
: accordant with usage, custom, or habit : normal
2
: commonly or ordinarily used <followed his usual route>
3
: found in ordinary practice or in the ordinary course of events : ordinary
— usu·al·ly \ˈyü-zhə-wə-lē, -zhə-lē; ˈyüzh-wə-lē, ˈyüzh-lē\ adverb
— usu·al·ness \ˈyü-zhə-wəl-nəs, -zhəl-; ˈyüzh-wəl-\ noun
— as usual
: in the accustomed or habitual way <as usual they were late>
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See usual defined for kids
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Examples of USUAL
- She charges less than the usual fee.
- He took his usual route to work.
- the usual method for preparing chili
- She is not my usual doctor.
- It's usual to charge a fee for delivery.
- It's not usual for him to get home so late.
Origin of USUAL
Middle English, from Anglo-French usuel, from Late Latin usualis, from Latin usus use
Related to USUAL
- Synonyms
- conventional, customary, going, popular, prevailing, prevalent, standard, stock, current
- Antonyms
- nonstandard, unconventional, unpopular, unusual
Synonym Discussion of USUAL
usual, customary, habitual, wonted, accustomed mean familiar through frequent or regular repetition. usual stresses the absence of strangeness or unexpectedness <my usual order for lunch>. customary applies to what accords with the practices, conventions, or usages of an individual or community <the customary waiting period before the application is approved>. habitual suggests a practice settled or established by much repetition <a habitual morning routine>. wonted stresses habituation but usually applies to what is favored, sought, or purposefully cultivated <his wonted determination>. accustomed is less emphatic than wonted or habitual in suggesting fixed habit or invariable custom <accepted the compliment with her accustomed modesty>.
2usual
noun
Definition of USUAL
: something usual
See usual defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of USUAL
1589
USUAL Defined for Kids
usual
adjective usu·al \ˈyü-zhə-wəl\
Definition of USUAL for Kids
: done, found, used, or existing most of the time <This is the usual state of the house.>
— usu·al·ly adverb
Word Root of USUAL
The Latin word ūtī, meaning “to use,” “to possess,” or “to enjoy,” and its form ūsus give us the roots ut and us. Words from the Latin ūtī have something to do with use. To use is to possess and enjoy. To abuse is to use something incorrectly or unfairly. Anything usual is commonly used by many people. A utensil is a tool that is used for a particular purpose, especially for eating or cooking.
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