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
The film is about an ordinary man who enjoys a simple life in the midwestern haven of Fargo, North Dakota. —Leo Barraclough, Variety, 25 Apr. 2025 But both authors and educators agree that the best way for ordinary citizens to combat book banning is to stay aware of the issue and make their voices heard at the local level. —Carly Tagen-Dye, People.com, 25 Apr. 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
  • Seeing the color Olo needed specific stimulation to push the vision beyond its normal limits.
    — Terry Collins, USA Today, 24 Apr. 2025
  • Such intimidation may be normal in Putin's Russia, not in the civilized world!
    — Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 24 Apr. 2025
Definition of normal
Adjective
  • Thus far, Wall Street has had a decent start to the first-quarter earnings season.
    — Sarah Min, CNBC, 24 Apr. 2025
  • The former Washington Husky has had a decent start to his 2025 season.
    — Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Apr. 2025
Definition of decent
Adjective
  • For example, the fires in New Jersey this week have been part of trend: So far in 2025, New Jersey has experienced nearly twice as many wildfires as usual.
    — Doyle Rice, USA Today, 24 Apr. 2025
  • Rosemary Oil Shampoo Add a few drops of rosemary oil to your shampoo and wash your hair as usual.
    — Carley Millhone, Health, 23 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
  • The American Public Health Association says that as global average temperatures rise, these trends will continue and make allergies an increasing public health concern.
    — Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2025
  • April is typically the most expensive month to fly from New Delhi to Srinagar — the largest city in Jammu and Kashmir — with average prices ranging from $175 to $255, according to Google Flights.
    — Monica Pitrelli, CNBC, 28 Apr. 2025
Definition of average
Adjective
  • In a skillet, sweat the onion with half the extra virgin olive oil for several minutes over medium heat.
    — Isabella Milano, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Apr. 2025
  • Place a cast-iron skillet or other heavy-bottomed skillet over medium heat.
    — Linda Zavoral, Mercury News, 15 Apr. 2025
Definition of medium
Adjective
  • This development mirrors the revolutionary vision of personal computing, suggesting a future where AI agents could become as ubiquitous as desktop computers. 2.
    — Gaurav Pathak, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025
  • And although offal may never become as ubiquitous as muscle meat in American diets, more people eating organ meats could come with some positives.
    — Valerie Trapp, The Atlantic, 17 Apr. 2025
Definition of ubiquitous
Noun
  • The only issue with the price Chelsea Women was sold for was that they were bought by their parent company in a move that helped the men’s team comply with the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules (PSR) in 2023-24.
    — Matt Slater, New York Times, 19 Apr. 2025
  • In the final weeks of his presidency, Joe Biden had proposed a rule that would have expanded Medicare coverage to include the high-demand and expensive obesity treatment.
    — Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 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 1 May. 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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