¹usual

adjective usu·al \ˈyü-zhə-wəl, -zhəl; ˈyüzh-wəl\

: done, found, or used most of the time or in most cases : normal or regular

Full Definition of USUAL

: accordant with usage, custom, or habit : normal

: commonly or ordinarily used <followed his usual route>

: found in ordinary practice or in the ordinary course of events : ordinary

— usu·al·ly \ˈyü-zhə-wə-lē, -zhə-lē; ˈyüzh-wə-lē, ˈyüzh-lē\ adverb

— usu·al·ness \ˈyü-zhə-wəl-nəs, -zhəl-; ˈyüzh-wəl-\ noun

— as usual

: in the accustomed or habitual way <as usual they were late>

See usual defined for English-language learners

See usual defined for kids

Origin of USUAL

Middle English, from Anglo-French usuel, from Late Latin usualis, from Latin usus use

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to USUAL

Synonyms: conventional, customary, going, popular, prevailing, prevalent, standard, stock, current

Antonyms: nonstandard, unconventional, unpopular, unusual

Synonym Discussion of USUAL

usual, customary, habitual, wonted, accustomed mean familiar through frequent or regular repetition. usual stresses the absence of strangeness or unexpectedness <my usual order for lunch>. 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>. habitual suggests a practice settled or established by much repetition <a habitual morning routine>. wonted stresses habituation but usually applies to what is favored, sought, or purposefully cultivated <his wonted determination>. accustomed is less emphatic than wonted or habitual in suggesting fixed habit or invariable custom <accepted the compliment with her accustomed modesty>.

²usual

noun

Definition of USUAL

: something usual

See usual defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of USUAL

1589

USUALLY Defined for Kids

usual

adjective usu·al \ˈyü-zhə-wəl\

Definition of USUAL for Kids

: done, found, used, or existing most of the time <This is the usual state of the house.>

— usu·al·ly adverb

Word Root of USUAL

The Latin word ūtī, meaning “to use,” “to possess,” or “to enjoy,” and its form ūsus give us the roots ut and us. Words from the Latin ūtī have something to do with use. To use is to possess and enjoy. To abuse is to use something incorrectly or unfairly. Anything usual is commonly used by many people. A utensil is a tool that is used for a particular purpose, especially for eating or cooking.