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ordinary

or·di·nar·y
O o

Transcription

    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • UK Pronunciation
    • UK IPA
    • [awr-dn-er-ee]
    • /ˈɔr dnˌɛr i/
    • /ˈɔːdnri/
    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • [awr-dn-er-ee]
    • /ˈɔr dnˌɛr i/

Definitions of ordinary word

  • adjective ordinary of no special quality or interest; commonplace; unexceptional: One novel is brilliant, the other is decidedly ordinary; an ordinary person. 2
  • adjective ordinary plain or undistinguished: ordinary clothes. 1
  • adjective ordinary somewhat inferior or below average; mediocre. 1
  • adjective ordinary customary; usual; normal: We plan to do the ordinary things this weekend. 1
  • adjective ordinary Chiefly South Midland and Southern U.S. common, vulgar, or disreputable. 1
  • adjective ordinary (of jurisdiction) immediate, as contrasted with something that is delegated. 1

Information block about the term

Origin of ordinary

First appearance:

before 1250
One of the 11% oldest English words
1250-1300; Middle English ordinarie (noun and adj.) < Latin ordinārius regular, of the usual order, equivalent to ordin- (see order) + -ārius -ary

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Ordinary

noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation

ordinary popularity

A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 96% 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".

ordinary usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

Synonyms for ordinary

adjective ordinary

  • normal — conforming to the standard or the common type; usual; not abnormal; regular; natural.
  • commonplace — If something is commonplace, it happens often or is often found, and is therefore not surprising.
  • usual — habitual or customary: her usual skill.
  • regular — usual; normal; customary: to put something in its regular place.
  • everyday — Happening or used every day; daily.

Antonyms for ordinary

adjective ordinary

  • out of the ordinary — of no special quality or interest; commonplace; unexceptional: One novel is brilliant, the other is decidedly ordinary; an ordinary person.
  • extraordinary — Very unusual or remarkable.
  • abnormal — Someone or something that is abnormal is unusual, especially in a way that is worrying.
  • different — not alike in character or quality; distinct in nature; dissimilar: The two brothers are very different, although they are identical twins.
  • uncommon — not common; unusual; rare: an uncommon word.

noun ordinary

  • glitterati — The fashionable set of people engaged in show business or some other glamorous activity.
  • freak — a fleck or streak of color.
  • elite — A group of people considered to be the best in a particular society or category, esp. because of their power, talent, or wealth.
  • in-crowd — in-group (def 1).
  • carriage trade — trade from the wealthy part of society

Top questions with ordinary

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See also

Matching words

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