Main Entry: ¹usu·al

Pronunciation: \ˈyü-zhə-wəl, -zhəl; ˈyüzh-wəl\

Function: adjective

Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French usuel, from Late Latin usualis, from Latin usus use

Date: 14th century

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>

synonyms 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>.