Thesaurus

ordinary

Q: How does the adjective 'ordinary' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of ordinary are common , familiar , plain , popular , and vulgar . While all these words mean "generally met with and not in any way special, strange, or unusual," ordinary stresses conformance in quality or kind with the regular order of things. // an ordinary pleasant summer day // a very ordinary sort of man

Q: When would 'common' be a good substitute for 'ordinary'?

While in some cases nearly identical to ordinary , common implies usual everyday quality or frequency of occurrence and may additionally suggest inferiority or coarseness. // a common error // lacked common honesty // common manners

Q: When is it sensible to use 'familiar' instead of 'ordinary'?

Although the words familiar and ordinary have much in common, familiar stresses the fact of being generally known and easily recognized. // a familiar melody

Q: Where would 'plain' be a reasonable alternative to 'ordinary'?

The words plain and ordinary can be used in similar contexts, but plain is likely to suggest homely simplicity. // plain hard-working people

Q: In what contexts can 'popular' take the place of 'ordinary'?

While the synonyms popular and ordinary are close in meaning, popular applies to what is accepted by or prevalent among people in general sometimes in contrast to upper classes or special groups. // a writer of popular romances

Q: How do 'vulgar' and 'popular' relate to one another, in the sense of 'ordinary'?

Vulgar , otherwise similar to popular , is likely to carry derogatory connotations (as of inferiority or coarseness). // souvenirs designed to appeal to the vulgar taste

adjective

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Synonyms & Antonyms of ordinary

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 being of the type that is encountered in the normal course of events

it was a perfectly ordinary and undistinguished shirt

Synonyms for ordinary

Words Related to ordinary

natural

customary,
wonted

frequent,
habitual

Phrases Synonymous with ordinary

par for the course

Near Antonyms for ordinary

freak,
freakish

Antonyms for ordinary

2 of average to below average quality

the pizza at that restaurant is just ordinary—it's nothing to write home about

Synonyms for ordinary

Words Related to ordinary

moderate,
modest

Near Antonyms for ordinary

3 often observed or encountered

an ordinary hairstyle for boys of that age

Synonyms for ordinary

Words Related to ordinary

general,
universal

Phrases Synonymous with ordinary

a dime a dozen

Near Antonyms for ordinary

Antonyms for ordinary

ordinary

noun

Synonyms & Antonyms of ordinary (Entry 2 of 2)

as in rule, run

Synonyms & Near Synonyms for ordinary

Antonyms & Near Antonyms for ordinary

Frequently Asked Questions About ordinary

How does the adjective ordinary contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of ordinary are common, familiar, plain, popular, and vulgar. While all these words mean "generally met with and not in any way special, strange, or unusual," ordinary stresses conformance in quality or kind with the regular order of things.

an ordinary pleasant summer day

a very ordinary sort of man

When would common be a good substitute for ordinary?

While in some cases nearly identical to ordinary, common implies usual everyday quality or frequency of occurrence and may additionally suggest inferiority or coarseness.

a common error

lacked common honesty

common manners

When is it sensible to use familiar instead of ordinary?

Although the words familiar and ordinary have much in common, familiar stresses the fact of being generally known and easily recognized.

a familiar melody

Where would plain be a reasonable alternative to ordinary?

The words plain and ordinary can be used in similar contexts, but plain is likely to suggest homely simplicity.

plain hard-working people

In what contexts can popular take the place of ordinary?

While the synonyms popular and ordinary are close in meaning, popular applies to what is accepted by or prevalent among people in general sometimes in contrast to upper classes or special groups.

a writer of popular romances