ordinary Definition
- 1with no special or distinctive features; normal
- 2belonging to the usual order of things; commonplace
- 3not interesting or different in any way
Using ordinary: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "ordinary" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
He lived a very ordinary life.
Example
The food was good but the service was quite ordinary.
Example
There was nothing ordinary about the way she sang.
Example
I'm just an ordinary person trying to make a living.
ordinary Synonyms and Antonyms
Antonyms for ordinary
Idioms Using ordinary
Example
The party was fun, but nothing out of the ordinary happened.
run-of-the-mill (ordinary)
something that is common or average
Example
The hotel was just a run-of-the-mill establishment, nothing special.
Example
We often take for granted the ordinary things in life, like clean water and fresh air.
Phrases with ordinary
Example
Ordinary people like us can't afford to buy such expensive cars.
language that is used in everyday situations, as opposed to specialized or technical language
Example
The book is written in ordinary language, making it easy for anyone to understand.
in the Christian liturgical calendar, the period outside of the major festivals and seasons
Example
The church celebrates Ordinary Time between Christmas and Lent.
Origins of ordinary
from Latin 'ordinarius', meaning 'regular, customary'
Summary: ordinary in Brief
The term 'ordinary' [ˈɔːdənri] refers to something with no special or distinctive features, belonging to the usual order of things, or not interesting or different in any way. It can describe anything from a person's life to their singing voice, as in 'He lived a very ordinary life.' 'Ordinary' extends into phrases like 'ordinary people,' and idioms like 'nothing out of the ordinary,' denoting something that is not unusual or unexpected.