standard
STAN-duhd
Standard (adj) means Usual, regular, or typical; falling within an accepted, expected range. Example: “It is standard practice to wash your hands before handling food.”
adj
1
Usual, regular, or typical; falling within an accepted, expected range.
"It is standard practice to wash your hands before handling food."
"The standard size of the box fits most shelves."
"A standard shipping fee applies to all orders under $50."
2
Recognized as an accepted model of quality or correctness.
"Her book became the standard work on garden birds."
"He speaks standard English with only a slight regional accent."
"This textbook is the standard reference in the field."
noun
1
A level of quality or achievement used as a measure or goal.
"Teachers expect students to reach a certain standard before the exam."
"Her cooking is not up to the standard of the restaurant."
"The factory maintains a high standard of safety."
2
A flag or banner representing a group, especially historically in battle.
"The army raised its standard on the hill as the soldiers gathered."
"A faded standard hung above the doorway of the old castle."
"The knight carried the king's standard into battle."
How to use standard
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe normal, expected version of something, or a benchmark of quality — historically also a flag.
Common pairings
high standard
standard practice
meet a standard
double standard
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Word forms
- Superlative
- most standard
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It is _____ practice to wash your hands before handling food.
Etymology
From Old French estandart, originally meaning a rallying flag or gathering place in battle, later merging with an English word for "flag-bearer" — its "usual/typical" sense developed from the idea of an official flag marking an accepted measure.
Synonyms
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normal
criterion
measure
banner
touchstone
acceptable
accepted
accustomed
by the book
book
canonical
classic
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for standard
See all rhymes for standard →Frequently asked questions
What does “standard” mean?
The word “standard” means usual, regular, or typical; falling within an accepted, expected range. In plain terms, the normal, expected version of something, or a benchmark of quality — historically also a flag.
How do you pronounce “standard”?
“Standard” is pronounced STAN-duhd (/ˈstændɚd/ in IPA).
How do you use “standard” in a sentence?
Here is “standard” used in a sentence: “This textbook is the standard reference in the field.”
What is another word for “standard”?
Words with a similar meaning to “standard” include acceptable, accepted, accustomed, by the book, book and canonical.
What is the opposite of “standard”?
The opposite of “standard” — its antonyms — are nonstandard, non-standard, atypical, off and special.
What part of speech is “standard”?
Depending on how it is used, “standard” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “standard” come from?
The word “standard” comes from Old French.
Is “standard” a common word?
“Standard” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between 'standard' and 'premium'?
'Standard' describes the usual or basic version that most people receive by default. 'Premium' describes a higher, upgraded version with better quality, extra features, or added cost. A standard room or standard model meets normal expectations, while a premium one goes beyond them. Standard is the baseline; premium is the step up.
Is 'standard' the same as 'normal'?
They are very close and often interchangeable. 'Standard' suggests something meets an accepted, expected level, while 'normal' simply means usual or typical. A standard size is the one commonly supplied; a normal temperature is the one usually seen. In everyday use, standard adds a slight sense of an agreed benchmark.
What is the difference between 'standard' and 'custom'?
'Standard' means made to the usual, fixed specification that everyone gets. 'Custom' means specially made or adjusted to particular requirements. A standard product comes as it is off the shelf, while a custom one is tailored to your needs. Custom versions often cost more and take longer to produce.
What is an example of something 'standard'?
Standard features are the ones included by default. A car with standard air conditioning has it as normal rather than as an added extra. Standard paper size, standard delivery, and standard working hours all describe the usual, expected option that applies unless something different is specially chosen.
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