usual 1 of 2

adjective

ˈyü-zhə-wəl How to pronounce usual (audio)
Definition of usualnext
1
as in conventional
accepted, used, or practiced by most people that's not the usual method, but it works

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in normal
being of the type that is encountered in the normal course of events the characters in this novel are drawn with greater depth than is usual for a work of science fiction

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in ubiquitous
often observed or encountered the usual reaction to the sight of the falls is one of absolute awe

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

usual

2 of 2

noun

as in ordinary

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word usual distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of usual are accustomed, customary, habitual, and wonted. While all these words mean "familiar through frequent or regular repetition," usual stresses the absence of strangeness or unexpectedness.

my usual order for lunch

How is accustomed related to other words for usual?

Accustomed is less emphatic than wonted or habitual in suggesting fixed habit or invariable custom.

accepted the compliment with her accustomed modesty

In what contexts can customary take the place of usual?

The words customary and usual are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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

When could habitual be used to replace usual?

Although the words habitual and usual have much in common, habitual suggests a practice settled or established by much repetition.

a habitual morning routine

When is wonted a more appropriate choice than usual?

The words wonted and usual can be used in similar contexts, but wonted stresses habituation but usually applies to what is favored, sought, or purposefully cultivated.

his wonted determination

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of usual
Adjective
Start by incorporating more of the best foods for constipation into your usual meals and snacks. — Sarah Klein, Time, 10 July 2026 In past years, the state’s yearly case totals have mostly been around 50; the case tally just in July is already 25 times larger than that usual number. — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 9 July 2026
Noun
On the first floor, in the back corner of the hotel, there also was a small cafe, a fashion-week usual for the house. — Allyson Portee, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Mar. 2024 Someone’s pouring your usual, sending you to sleep with a bustling soundtrack, or simply offering a comforting anchor in a sprawling, occasionally overwhelming metropolis. — Maggie Hennessy, Chicago Tribune, 26 Oct. 2022 See All Example Sentences for usual
Recent Examples of Synonyms for usual
  1. conventional
  2. normal
  3. ubiquitous
  4. ordinary
  5. customary
  6. typical
  7. familiar
  8. rule
Adjective
  • However, much of the talk seems to be about how many players miss them, and how much better the conventional type are.
    — Geir Jordet, New York Times, 14 July 2026
  • By the end of the night, the room full of sweaty bodies was left basking in the gift of Madonna, feeling just one small sliver of a wider moment that has gone on to completely transcend conventional pop expectation.
    — Tom Smyth, Vulture, 14 July 2026
Definition of conventional
Adjective
  • The oil flow out of the Strait of Hormuz is by no means back to normal.
    — David Goldman, CNN Money, 14 July 2026
  • The physical and mental effort that Bellingham has put himself through at this tournament is not normal.
    — Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 14 July 2026
Definition of normal
Adjective
  • Beckham has all but haunted the airwaves since the World Cup kicked off on June 11, becoming the most ubiquitous feature of the tournament’s ad breaks.
    — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 10 July 2026
  • That happens anytime new chunks of tire are exposed to the air, meaning the particle may be nearly ubiquitous in car-heavy environments.
    — Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 9 July 2026
Definition of ubiquitous
Noun
  • When crafting client success stories, look for the beautiful ordinary.
    — Richard Lowe, Forbes.com, 9 June 2026
  • Williams’ gift for turning the ordinary into the extraordinary was inspired by his interactions with his patients.
    — René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 May 2026
Definition of ordinary
Adjective
  • Now, though, the American team’s customary Round-of-16 exit, the Balogun fiasco and FIFA’s shady past recede as the overriding art of soccer/football/futbol at ts best takes over with a final four for the ages.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 13 July 2026
  • And, alas, there isn't the customary chain saw whipped out at the end.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 July 2026
Definition of customary
Adjective
  • Before the war, a typical day would see around 100 commercial vessels pass through.
    — Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 15 July 2026
  • In a break with soccer protocol, the 11-minute set is reportedly due to extend the typical 15 minute half-time break, with a new half-time of up to 30 minutes.
    — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 14 July 2026
Definition of typical
Adjective
  • Men’s European Championship 2024 Spain versus England is becoming quite familiar in finals.
    — Michael Cox, New York Times, 14 July 2026
  • Blending the vintage style of a Mary Jane shoe with the modern, casual style of a trainer, these shoes shine with their unique but familiar design.
    — Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 14 July 2026
Definition of familiar
Noun
  • In the southern Russian city of Krasnodar, which borders Crimea, another video shows a man filling up a container in the back of his car while two women berate him for breaking the rules.
    — Clare Sebastian, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
  • The Marlins tacked on two runs in the second on Lopez’s ground-rule double and Hicks’ sacrifice fly.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 6 July 2026
Definition of rule

Browse Nearby Words

using up
usual
usually
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Usual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/usual. Accessed 15 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on usual

Nglish: Translation of usual for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 10
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
banana-mirrored
Contradictory Words Quiz Pick out which word means one thing…and the opp...
See All