regular
10 synonyms and 3 antonyms for regular, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Happening at consistent, predictable intervals.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use regular
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Latin rēgulāris, "conforming to rule," from rēgula ("rule, ruler").
Full origin of regular →Frequently asked questions
What does “regular” mean?
The word “regular” means happening at consistent, predictable intervals. In plain terms, happening predictably, or being the normal/standard version of something.
How do you pronounce “regular”?
“Regular” is pronounced REHG-yuu-luh (/ˈɹɛɡjəlɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “regular” in a sentence?
Here is “regular” used in a sentence: “He goes for a regular checkup every six months.”
What is the opposite of “regular”?
The opposite of “regular” — its antonyms — are irregular, non-regular and nonregular.
What part of speech is “regular”?
Depending on how it is used, “regular” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “regular” come from?
The word “regular” comes from Latin. From Latin rēgulāris, "conforming to rule," from rēgula ("rule, ruler").
Is “regular” a common word?
“Regular” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “regular” have?
“Regular” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: happening at consistent, predictable intervals.
What is the difference between 'regular' and 'frequent'?
'Regular' means happening at even, predictable intervals, like a bus every ten minutes. 'Frequent' means happening often, but not necessarily on a set pattern. Something can be regular without being frequent, like an annual checkup, or frequent without being regular, like sudden bursts of rain through a day.
What is the opposite of 'regular'?
When 'regular' means happening at steady intervals, its opposite is 'irregular', 'sporadic' or 'occasional', describing events with no reliable pattern. In other senses the opposite shifts: for a regular shape it is 'irregular', and for a regular size it might be 'large'. Context decides which antonym fits.
What is the difference between 'regular' and 'normal'?
'Regular' stresses a consistent, repeating pattern, especially in timing, like a regular heartbeat. 'Normal' means usual, standard or expected, without any idea of repetition, like normal body temperature. They overlap in casual speech, where 'regular' can also mean ordinary, as in a 'regular guy', but their core meanings differ.
Can 'regular' describe things other than timing?
Yes. Beyond steady intervals, 'regular' can mean evenly shaped or symmetrical, as in a regular hexagon; following the usual rules, as with a regular verb; or habitual and familiar, like a regular customer. It can even mean standard-sized, as in a regular coffee rather than a large one.