ordinary
8 synonyms and 0 antonyms for ordinary, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Normal, usual, or unremarkable; not special or different from what is expected.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use ordinary
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Latin ōrdinārius, "regular, orderly," from ōrdō, "order."
Full origin of ordinary →Frequently asked questions
What does “ordinary” mean?
The word “ordinary” means normal, usual, or unremarkable; not special or different from what is expected. In plain terms, normal or unremarkable — the everyday, expected version of something.
How do you pronounce “ordinary”?
“Ordinary” is pronounced AW-dih-nuh-ree (/ˈɔɹdɪnɛɹi/ in IPA).
How do you use “ordinary” in a sentence?
Here is “ordinary” used in a sentence: “It was just an ordinary Tuesday until the phone rang.”
What part of speech is “ordinary”?
“Ordinary” is an adjective.
Where does the word “ordinary” come from?
The word “ordinary” comes from Latin. From Latin ōrdinārius, "regular, orderly," from ōrdō, "order.".
Is “ordinary” a common word?
“Ordinary” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “ordinary” have?
“Ordinary” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: normal, usual, or unremarkable; not special or different from what is expected.
What is the difference between ordinary and normal?
The two overlap heavily. Normal describes what fits the usual pattern or standard, the opposite of abnormal. Ordinary describes what is common and unremarkable, the opposite of special. Something can be perfectly normal yet feel ordinary because it is plain or everyday. In casual use, though, they are often swapped freely.
What is the opposite of ordinary?
The most direct opposite is extraordinary, meaning remarkable, exceptional, or far beyond the usual. Other opposites include special, unusual, and outstanding. Where ordinary suggests something plain and expected, these words point to whatever stands out or surprises us in a striking way.
Is ordinary a negative word?
Not really, though it can lean slightly that way. Ordinary is mostly neutral, simply meaning usual or everyday. In some contexts it implies dull or unimpressive, as in an ordinary meal, while in others it is reassuring, as in an ordinary day. Tone and situation decide how it lands.
What is an example of ordinary?
An ordinary morning might mean waking up, having breakfast, and heading to work with nothing unusual happening. An ordinary object could be a plain white mug or a standard pen. In each case the word marks something common and unremarkable, the sort of thing we barely notice because it meets our expectations.