ordinariness
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /ˈɔːdɪnərinəs/
US
- /ˈɔːrdɪnˌɛrinəs/
Description
- being normal
- everyday quality
- commonness
- plainness
Ordinariness is not about being bad. It is simply the state of being normal, usual, or average. Think of a quiet Tuesday afternoon: nothing especially exciting happens, and life moves along in its everyday way. That is ordinariness. It can feel comforting and calm, and it can even have its own kind of beauty. Some people look for it when they want a break from stress or chaos, while others want to rise above it and do something unusual. In stories, a character may long for the simple parts of ordinary life after a great adventure. Even a common wildflower can show the quiet beauty of everyday life.
Ordinariness refers to the quality of being commonplace, typical, or not especially remarkable. It describes things that are usual and expected: the everyday routines, sights, and experiences that make up much of our lives. While it is often treated as the opposite of "extraordinary," ordinariness is not automatically negative. In fact, it can be a source of comfort, stability, and even beauty.
Think about the smell of freshly brewed coffee on a normal morning, or the feeling of warm socks on a cold day. These small, unremarkable moments contribute to our sense of well-being. Sometimes, after periods of intense excitement or stress, people actively seek ordinariness as a return to normal life and predictability.
However, the word can also suggest that something feels uninspired or lacking in originality. A writer, for example, might describe a film as too ordinary, meaning that it lacks imagination or surprise. The context matters: whether ordinariness sounds positive or negative depends on what is being described and on the speaker's point of view.
Some people believe true beauty lies in the ordinary, in noticing simple things and finding wonder in everyday life. Others see it as a starting point for something greater, a foundation on which unusual achievements are built. In the end, ordinariness is a basic part of human experience, shaping our lives in quiet but important ways.
Examples
- 1
Family life
The film finds humor in the ordinariness of family life.
- 2
Cafe atmosphere
I liked the cafe's ordinariness: plain tables, cheap coffee, and no music.
- 3
Routine
There was a comforting ordinariness about his routine after the long trip.
Pattern
an ordinariness about + thing
a plain or normal feeling that thing has
- 4
Believability
The very ordinariness of the story makes it easy to believe.
Pattern
the very ordinariness of + thing
the fact that it is so ordinary
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- ordinarinessnoun