WordGarden.ioregular
A2Pronunciation
UK
- /rˈɛɡjuːlə/
US
- /ˈreɪɡjələr/
Meanings
Adjective
usual, standard, or ordinary rather than special
happening often or at fixed, predictable intervals
evenly shaped, spaced, or patterned; following a consistent form
More meaningsFewer meanings
following the usual grammatical inflection pattern
having normal, predictable bodily function, especially digestion or menstrual cycles
Noun
a habitual customer or attendee at a place
Beyond the definition
Something described as "regular" often happens again and again in a steady, expected way, like your morning coffee, a weekly meeting, or a bus that comes on time each day. It can also describe something usual or standard, like a regular coffee or a regular-size meal. In everyday life, it often suggests that something is normal, familiar, and not unusual.
The word also appears when talking about people. A "regular" customer is someone who comes back often and becomes a familiar face. You might visit your regular barber, ask for regular updates on a project, or try to keep regular exercise and sleep. In short, the word often points to what is steady, usual, or part of a pattern.
The word "regular" has several closely related meanings, and most of them grow out of the idea of a clear pattern. First, it often means happening at fixed times or happening often enough to seem steady and dependable. You can talk about regular classes, regular payments, regular checkups, or regular exercise. In this sense, the word suggests order, repetition, and something you can count on.
It also often means usual, normal, or standard. A regular coffee may mean the normal kind or the middle size, depending on the place. Regular clothes are everyday clothes, not special ones. If someone says they want the regular option, they usually mean the basic or standard one, not anything extra.
When used about people, it can describe someone who comes somewhere often. A regular at a cafe, bar, or shop is a person the staff see again and again. In this use, the noun form is common too: "She is one of the regulars."
In some situations, the word can mean healthy because something in the body is working in a normal pattern, especially digestion. Someone might say they are trying to stay regular. It can also mean following the usual rules or official system, as in a regular army or a regular procedure. In grammar and similar subjects, it may describe a form that follows the normal pattern, such as a regular verb.
So, whether you are talking about time, habits, standard choices, familiar customers, body patterns, or rule-following forms, "regular" usually carries the same basic idea: something happens in the usual way, follows a pattern, or fits what people normally expect.
Examples
- 1
Work schedule
We have regular team meetings every Monday morning.
- 2
Medical care
The doctor wants her to come in for regular checkups.
- 3
Customer habit
He's a regular customer at the corner cafe.
- 4
Family life
We didn't do anything special on vacation, just regular family stuff.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Ticket type
Are these the regular tickets, or is there a discount for students?
- Phraseregular tickets
the standard tickets, not a special cheaper kind
- 6
Hospitality
The hotel serves regular breakfast from 7 to 10, but room service costs extra.
- 7
Social events
She's not on the staff, but she's become a regular at our Friday quiz night.
- 8
Home routine
Even after all the changes, I still want a regular routine at home.
See also
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- regularnounadjective
Forms
- regularspluralnounadjective