regular
REHG-yuu-luh
Regular (adj) means happening at consistent, predictable intervals. Example: “The bus makes regular stops every ten minutes along this road.”
adj
1
Happening at consistent, predictable intervals.
"The bus makes regular stops every ten minutes along this road."
"He goes for a regular checkup every six months."
"Regular exercise helps keep your heart healthy."
2
Following the usual or expected pattern; normal, standard.
"Is this a regular day at the office or a special one?"
"He ordered a regular coffee with no extra shots."
"I'll just have the regular size, not the large."
3
Even and consistent in shape, spacing, or pattern.
"The tiles were laid in a regular pattern across the floor."
"Her handwriting is neat, with regular spacing between each letter."
"A square is a regular polygon with four equal sides."
noun
1
A person who visits a place often.
"He is a regular at the cafe and always sits by the window."
"The pub's regulars gather there every Friday evening to chat."
"The bartender knew all the regulars by name."
2
A full-time member of the armed forces, as opposed to a reservist.
"Regulars receive a full-time salary, unlike reservists who serve part-time."
"She left the reserves and became a regular in the army."
"He served ten years as a regular before joining the reserves."
How to use regular
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishHappening predictably, or being the normal/standard version of something.
Common pairings
regular basis
regular customer
regular size
regular hours
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like regular.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- regulars
- Comparative
- more regular
- Superlative
- most regular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The bus makes _____ stops every ten minutes along this road.
Etymology
From Latin rēgulāris, "conforming to rule," from rēgula ("rule, ruler").
Synonyms
View more →
consistent
steady
periodic
routine
recurring
even
systematic
fixture
habitue
unconstipated
veritable
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for regular
See all rhymes for 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.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include regular:
