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as a rule

as a rule
A a

Transcription

    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • UK Pronunciation
    • UK IPA
    • [az ey rool]
    • /æz eɪ rul/
    • /əz ə ruːl/
    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • [az ey rool]
    • /æz eɪ rul/

Definitions of as a rule words

  • phrase as a rule If you say that something happens as a rule, you mean that it usually happens. 3
  • noun as a rule normally or ordinarily 3
  • noun as a rule usually; ordinarily 3
  • noun as a rule a principle or regulation governing conduct, action, procedure, arrangement, etc.: the rules of chess. 1
  • noun as a rule the code of regulations observed by a religious order or congregation: the Franciscan rule. 1
  • noun as a rule the customary or normal circumstance, occurrence, manner, practice, quality, etc.: the rule rather than the exception. 1

Information block about the term

Origin of as a rule

First appearance:

before 1175
One of the 8% oldest English words
1175-1225; (noun) Middle English riule, reule < Old French riule < Latin rēgula straight stick, pattern (see regula); (v.) Middle English riwlen, reulen, rewellen < Old French riuler, rieuler, ruler < Late Latin rēgulāre, derivative of rēgula

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for As a rule

noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation

as a rule popularity

A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 99% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".

as a rule usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

Synonyms for as a rule

adv as a rule

  • regularly — at regular times or intervals.
  • frequently — often; many times; at short intervals.
  • generally — usually; commonly; ordinarily: He generally comes home at noon.
  • ordinarily — most of the time; generally; usually: Ordinarily he wakes at seven.
  • more often than not — usually

Antonyms for as a rule

adv as a rule

  • infrequently — happening or occurring at long intervals or rarely: infrequent visits.
  • rarely — on rare occasions; infrequently; seldom: I'm rarely late for appointments.
  • seldom — on only a few occasions; rarely; infrequently; not often: We seldom see our old neighbors anymore.
  • uncommonly — in an uncommon or unusual manner or degree.
  • unusually — not usual, common, or ordinary; uncommon in amount or degree; exceptional: an unusual sound; an unusual hobby; an unusual response.

See also

Matching words

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