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

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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

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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

usual

2 of 2

noun

as in ordinary

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
Some new moms may also experience severe headaches, vision changes, pain under the ribs, nausea and vomiting, shortness of breath, and peeing less than usual, according to the Mayo Clinic. —Korin Miller, SELF, 9 Apr. 2025 If our usual approaches are not effective, other strategies must be used. —Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 9 Apr. 2025
Noun
Ebonē Colbert ordered her usual on her weekly trip to Wendy's with her son: a kid’s meal with a plain cheeseburger for him and a Dave’s Single, a burger topped with lettuce and tomato, for herself. —Aria Bendix, NBC News, 26 Aug. 2022 On the first day back, Evans ordered his usual: a single cheeseburger, fries and a Coke. —Los Angeles Times, 25 July 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
  • Until Black Panther’s record breaking $235 million opening, conventional industry wisdom held that films with predominantly Black casts typically underperform financially overseas.
    — Chris Lee, Vulture, 18 Apr. 2025
  • The conventional non-AI approach is the classic client-therapist relationship.
    — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025
Definition of conventional
Adjective
  • Augusta National operates differently than normal places.
    — Brody Miller, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025
  • This health condition occurs when your blood sugar is slightly higher than normal but not yet in the range for type 2 diabetes.
    — Julia Ries, Health, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of normal
Adjective
  • Sheer looks are a ubiquitous part of many a modern red carpet event.
    — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Plugging his new album with the wonderfully ubiquitous Brandi Carlile, the EGOT winner is the musical guest this week with Oscar nominee Carlile, who is back for her third time too.
    — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 5 Apr. 2025
Definition of ubiquitous
Noun
  • Alila Napa Valley goes beyond the ordinary by offering unforgettable experiences designed to captivate modern travelers, especially Xennials.
    — Noel Burgess, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025
  • The couple have often walked red carpets together, so it certainly wouldn’t be considered out of the ordinary for the 37-year-old to walk the Golden Globes red carpet alongside her beau as his plus-one.
    — Sam Reed, Glamour, 4 Jan. 2025
Definition of ordinary
Adjective
  • Surgeons reduced the ribs from the front of the body (versus the lower back, as is customary) and conducted pulmonary tests on patients pre- and post-op.
    — Jolene Edgar, Allure, 10 Apr. 2025
  • When George Clooney walks out on stage as Edward R. Murrow, the distinguished American journalist, the chiseled Hollywood star gets the customary entrance applause.
    — Chris Jones, New York Daily News, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of customary
Adjective
  • By the early 1960s, a typical Broadway season would field on average 60 or so shows.
    — Frank Rich, Vulture, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Gaining insights into tariff talks would fall squarely within Beijing's typical spying domains, Gundert said.
    — Sam Sabin, Axios, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of typical
Adjective
  • There was also a memorandum of agreement about the move signed on Monday by DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and Acting SSA Commissioner Leland Dudek, according to one source familiar.
    — Aaron Navarro, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2025
  • The panel did not stray from their earlier guesses for him, throwing out familiar names like Dave Matthews, Daryl Hall, and Pat Monahan of Train once more.
    — Lauren Huff, EW.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of familiar
Noun
  • The only issue with the price Chelsea Women was sold for was that they were bought by their parent company in a move that helped the men’s team comply with the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules (PSR) in 2023-24.
    — Matt Slater, New York Times, 19 Apr. 2025
  • The top attorney for a California board that enforces labor rules said Thursday that Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office may have violated state law over its handling of an order directing many public employees to work in person four days a week.
    — Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of rule

Browse Nearby Words

using up
usual
usually
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Cite this Entry

“Usual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/usual. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.

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