adj.
Pronunciation: ' yü-zh ə -w ə l, -zh ə l; ' yüzh-w ə l
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French usuel, from Late Latin usualis, from Latin usus use
Date: 14th century
1 : accordant with usage, custom, or habit : NORMAL
2 : commonly or ordinarily used <followed his usual route>
3 : found in ordinary practice or in the ordinary course of events : ORDINARY
– usu · al · ly \ ' yü-zh ə -w ə -l ē , -zh ə -l ē ; ' yüzh-w ə -l ē , ' yüzh-l ē \ adverb
– usu · al · ness \ ' yü-zh ə -w ə l-n ə s, -zh ə l-; ' yüzh-w ə l- \ noun
– as usual : in the accustomed or habitual way < as usual they were late>
synonyms USUAL , CUSTOMARY , HABITUAL , WONTED , ACCUSTOMED mean familiar through frequent or regular repetition. USUAL stresses the absence of strangeness or unexpectedness <my usual order for lunch>. CUSTOMARY applies to what accords with the practices, conventions, or usages of an individual or community <the customary waiting period before the application is approved>. HABITUAL suggests a practice settled or established by much repetition <a habitual morning routine>. WONTED stresses habituation but usually applies to what is favored, sought, or purposefully cultivated <his wonted determination>. ACCUSTOMED is less emphatic than WONTED or HABITUAL in suggesting fixed habit or invariable custom <accepted the compliment with her accustomed modesty>.