Meaning of ordinary in English

  1. Pronunciation

    /ˈɔrdnˌɛri/

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  1. Classifying Adjective

    ordinary

    Definitions

    1. lacking special distinction, rank, or status

    Examples

    • « commonly encountered »
    • « average people »
    • « the ordinary (or common) man in the street »

    Synonyms

  2. Noun

    ordinary

    Definitions

    1. a judge of a probate court
  3. 2. the expected or commonplace condition or situation

    Examples

    • « not out of the ordinary »
  4. 3. a clergyman appointed to prepare condemned prisoners for death
  5. 4. an early bicycle with a very large front wheel and small back wheel
  6. 5. (heraldry) any of several conventional figures used on shields

  7. Qualitative Adjective

    ordinary

    Etymology

    late Middle English: the noun partly via Old French; the adjective from Latin ordinarius‘orderly’ (reinforced by French ordinaire), from ordo, ordin-‘order’

    Definitions

    1. not exceptional in any way especially in quality or ability or size or degree

    Examples

    • « ordinary everyday objects »
    • « ordinary decency »
    • « an ordinary day »
    • « an ordinary wine »

    Synonyms

    Antonyms

See also