I. ˈyüzh(ə)wəl, -zhəl adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French or Latin; Middle French usuel, from Late Latin usualis that is for use, usual, from Latin usus use, custom + -alis -al
1. : such as accords with usage, custom, or habit : of the character or amount in common use : prevalent , accustomed
it is usual to give way to the vehicle on one's right — Richard Joseph
charged only half his usual fee in view of their poverty
2. : commonly or ordinarily employed
tried a short cut instead of following the usual route
sent someone strange instead of the usual substitute
3. : such as occurs in ordinary practice or in the ordinary course of events : ordinary , common
the characters were better drawn than is usual in romantic drama — A.H.Quinn
all the facilities usual to a military base — American Guide Series: Nevada
Synonyms:
customary , habitual , wonted , accustomed : usual describes that which happens frequently in the normal course of events and lacks any element of strangeness
it is with the domestic artist as with artists at large — painters, architects, and others — the usual error lies in excess prompted by undue desire for admiration — Herbert Spencer
it is usual, when visiting a new mother for the first time, to take a little present for the baby — Agnes M. Miall
customary describes what characteristically accords with the practices or usages of a particular individual or community
no idea how men behave when their customary way of life is disrupted and their familiar habits are disordered — Walter Lippmann
settle down to his customary occupations or amusements — W.M.Thackeray
the customary arts of the pleader, the appeal to the sympathies of the public, the introduction into court of weeping wife and children — G.L.Dickinson
habitual applies to what is settled by long repetition into a habit, followed or conformed to without thoughtful intent
the appearance of self-possession or poise that comes from an habitual attention to what is graceful and becoming — D.C.Hodges
then I stop ashamed, for I am talking habitual thoughts, and not adapting them to her ear, forgetting beauty in the pursuit of truth — W.B.Yeats
wonted may apply to that favored, sought, or purposefully cultivated
his nerve steadied itself back into its wonted control — C.G.D.Roberts
threw himself with his wonted zest into appreciating the thoughts and feelings of his artistic friends — R.F.Harrod
accustomed may refer to that long practiced, now habitual or customary, and noticed, looked for, or expected by others
will be long before I recover my accustomed cheerfulness — W.S.Gilbert
pausing to fling out an arm with some familiar accustomed gesture in a House of Commons — A.T.Quiller-Couch
•
- as usual
II. noun
( -s )
: something usual
old tabbies would begin asking questions of me, like what my name was, where was my folks, and the usual — Helen Eustis
a reserve of available funds in case their customers should happen to require more than their usual — J.A.Todd