Synonyms of ordinary

ordinary 1 of 2

adjective

ˈȯr-də-ˌner-ē 

1

as in normal

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

it was a perfectly ordinary and undistinguished shirt

Synonyms & Similar Words

• normal
• usual
• average
• typical
• commonplace
• common
• routine
• standard
• everyday
• unremarkable
• prosaic
• regular
• customary
• run-of-the-mill
• familiar
• unexceptional
• garden-variety
• workaday
• expected
• standard-issue
• cut-and-dried
• plain
• homely
• par for the course
• popular
• predictable
• trivial
• frequent
• unimportant
• vulgar
• natural
• insignificant
• unextraordinary
• habitual
• plain-Jane
• wonted

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• extraordinary
• unusual
• strange
• abnormal
• exceptional
• odd
• peculiar
• curious
• rare
• out-of-the-way
• funny
• anomalous
• atypical
• quaint
• queer
• irregular
• aberrant
• scarce
• wild
• phenomenal
• bizarre
• outrageous
• fantastic
• outstanding
• weird
• eccentric
• untypical
• unconventional
• idiosyncratic
• prominent
• unique
• striking
• unorthodox
• conspicuous
• notable
• unprecedented
• novel
• salient
• singular
• wacky
• signal
• outré
• recherché
• unparalleled
• way-out
• offbeat
• oddball
• far-out
• freakish
• kooky
• nonconformist
• Kafkaesque
• freak
• unexampled

2

as in decent

of average to below average quality

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• decent
• medium
• satisfactory
• common
• mediocre
• indifferent
• run-of-the-mill
• second-class
• middling
• passable
• adequate
• fair
• reasonable
• acceptable
• run-of-the-mine
• nice
• second-rate
• sufficient
• so-so
• modest
• respectable
• good
• fine
• tolerable
• all right
• minimal
• moderate
• OK
• presentable
• sufficing
• alright
• unexceptional

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• special
• outstanding
• exceptional
• excellent
• great
• superior
• distinguished
• first-class
• splendid
• maximum
• classic
• optimal
• exquisite
• supreme
• marvelous
• sensational
• prime
• optimum
• superb
• top
• terrific
• grand
• stellar
• superlative
• fantastic
• fabulous
• sterling
• choice
• par excellence
• peerless
• capital
• nifty
• number one
• swell
• A1
• preeminent
• first-rate
• unparalleled
• matchless
• top-notch
• unmatched
• unsurpassed
• inadequate
• insufficient
• unsatisfactory
• unacceptable
• tip-top
• lacking
• deficient
• wanting

3

as in usual

often observed or encountered

an ordinary hairstyle for boys of that age

Synonyms & Similar Words

• usual
• ubiquitous
• commonplace
• common
• familiar
• household
• frequent
• general
• everyday
• quotidian
• routine
• normal
• garden-variety
• standard
• prevailing
• regular
• common or garden
• popular
• a dime a dozen
• continuous
• mandatory
• universal
• constant
• prevalent
• obligatory
• continual
• incessant
• recurrent
• unceasing
• endemic
• perennial
• rampant
• ceaseless
• repeated
• de rigueur

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unusual
• extraordinary
• rare
• seldom
• uncommon
• unfamiliar
• infrequent
• abnormal
• unnatural
• occasional
• irregular
• intermittent
• sporadic
• aberrant

ordinary

2 of 2

noun

as in commonplace

Related Words

• usual
• commonplace
• rule
• status quo
• normal
• median
• average
• middle
• run
• golden mean
• mean
• representative
• norm
• standard
• exemplar
• par

Dissimilar Words

• exception
• deviation
• anomaly
• abnormality
• rarity

Synonym Chooser

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

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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of ordinary

Adjective

So, arguably, does his earlier, less sensational but equally radical Passing By (1974), charting the beginning, middle, and end of an ordinary love affair between two unremarkable young men. — Simon Callow, The New York Review of Books, 19 Sep. 2026

Now Jackie has red contact lenses that help with her extreme sensitivity to bright light, like ordinary daylight. — Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2026

Noun

Chelsea have had their fair share of entertainers since making their debut in the tournament — the individuals who can just do something out of the ordinary to make everyone realise they are being treated to a game at the highest level. — Simon Johnson, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025

Alila Napa Valley goes beyond the ordinary by offering unforgettable experiences designed to captivate modern travelers, especially Xennials. — Noel Burgess, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025