ordinary 1 of 2

adjective

ˈȯr-də-ˌner-ē How to pronounce ordinary (audio)
Definition of ordinarynext
1
as in normal
being of the type that is encountered in the normal course of events it was a perfectly ordinary and undistinguished shirt

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in decent
of average to below average quality the pizza at that restaurant is just ordinary—it's nothing to write home about

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in usual
often observed or encountered an ordinary hairstyle for boys of that age

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

ordinary

2 of 2

noun

as in commonplace

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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How does the adjective ordinary contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of ordinary are common, familiar, plain, popular, and vulgar. While all these words mean "generally met with and not in any way special, strange, or unusual," ordinary stresses conformance in quality or kind with the regular order of things.

an ordinary pleasant summer day
a very ordinary sort of man

When would common be a good substitute for ordinary?

While in some cases nearly identical to ordinary, common implies usual everyday quality or frequency of occurrence and may additionally suggest inferiority or coarseness.

a common error
lacked common honesty
common manners

When is it sensible to use familiar instead of ordinary?

Although the words familiar and ordinary have much in common, familiar stresses the fact of being generally known and easily recognized.

a familiar melody

Where would plain be a reasonable alternative to ordinary?

The words plain and ordinary can be used in similar contexts, but plain is likely to suggest homely simplicity.

plain hard-working people

In what contexts can popular take the place of ordinary?

While the synonyms popular and ordinary are close in meaning, popular applies to what is accepted by or prevalent among people in general sometimes in contrast to upper classes or special groups.

a writer of popular romances

How do vulgar and popular relate to one another, in the sense of ordinary?

Vulgar, otherwise similar to popular, is likely to carry derogatory connotations (as of inferiority or coarseness).

souvenirs designed to appeal to the vulgar taste

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of ordinary
Adjective
Its descendants could one day perform tasks such as pollinating crops, or exploring spaces too small for ordinary drones to access. —New Atlas, 31 Mar. 2025 Harry’s sensory difficulties turned ordinary experiences into overwhelming challenges. —Erin McGregor, People.com, 28 Mar. 2025
Noun
The couple have often walked red carpets together, so it certainly wouldn’t be considered out of the ordinary for the 37-year-old to walk the Golden Globes red carpet alongside her beau as his plus-one. —Sam Reed, Glamour, 4 Jan. 2025 These pieces can transform one’s daily bathing ritual from an ordinary to a spa-like experience. —Adam Mansuroglu, WWD, 1 Nov. 2024 See All Example Sentences for ordinary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ordinary
  1. normal
  2. decent
  3. usual
  4. commonplace
  5. average
  6. medium
  7. ubiquitous
  8. rule
Adjective
  • For 2025, retail growth predictions of 3.6% or better are holding firm, and while NRF economists are expecting slower growth for the near term, the trade group is expecting for normal growth to return in time.
    — Megan Poinski, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Join 22 others in the comments View Comments The airline also expects its own employment level in 2025 to be down from 2024 levels, though executives said that would be done through normal attrition caused by retirement and other voluntary departures, and not any layoff of staff.
    — Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of normal
Adjective
  • Both of these teams are off to decent starts, as Detroit leads the AL Central and the Yanks have, ahem, torpedoeed their way to a 6-5 record thus far.
    — Chris Branch, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025
  • At least, thanks to a decent selection of ports, both machines will easily work with the usual Mac accessories, and both models are outfitted with Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3.
    — PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of decent
Adjective
  • That’s not to say there isn’t more cleanup than usual between showings.
    — Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2025
  • While the set seems a bit on the chintzy side, scenic designer Beowulf Boritt does his usual stellar work, assisted immensely by Ken Billington’s full-of-pizzazz lighting design.
    — Greg Evans, Deadline, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of usual
Noun
  • Luxury scented candles, like room sprays for that matter, have the power to elevate any moment: taking it from commonplace to utterly indulgent.
    — Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 26 Mar. 2025
  • The Grand Ole Opry House holds 4,400 people, but can’t accommodate standing-room tours, a commonplace in genres like EDM and hip-hop.
    — Matthew Leimkuehler, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
Definition of commonplace
Adjective
  • That would translate into an average loss of $3,800 in purchasing power per household based on 2024 dollars.
    — Tony Romm, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Household Finances Under Pressure: The resumption of student loan payments has already pushed millions into delinquency, with average credit scores expected to drop by 141 points (WSJ).
    — Bob Haber, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of average
Adjective
  • Toss in a damp towel or a handful of ice cubes alongside your polyester item, then run the dryer on medium heat for five to ten minutes.
    — Katelyn Squiers, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Apr. 2025
  • Over medium heat, cook the chicken between 20 and 25 minutes, turning it 4 times.
    — Rick Bragg, Southern Living, 31 Mar. 2025
Definition of medium
Adjective
  • Sheer looks are a ubiquitous part of many a modern red carpet event.
    — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Plugging his new album with the wonderfully ubiquitous Brandi Carlile, the EGOT winner is the musical guest this week with Oscar nominee Carlile, who is back for her third time too.
    — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 5 Apr. 2025
Definition of ubiquitous
Noun
  • Dunne’s Back-Pay Argument Dunne committed to LSU in 2017, four years before the Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) Interim rules went into effect.
    — Caroline Price, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
  • For 18 months, every discussion about Newcastle United’s transfer strategy has necessitated mention of the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules (PSR).
    — Chris Waugh, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2025
Definition of rule

Browse Nearby Words

ordinariness
ordinary
ordination
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Cite this Entry

“Ordinary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ordinary. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on ordinary

Nglish: Translation of ordinary for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about ordinary

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