I. ˈyü-zhə-wəl, -zhəl; ˈyüzh-wəl 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 ˈyü-zhə-wə-lē, -zhə-lē; ˈyüzh-wə-lē, ˈyüzh-lē adverb
• usu·al·ness ˈyü-zhə-wəl-nəs, -zhəl-; ˈyüzh-wəl- noun
•
- as usual
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
II. noun
Date: 1589
: something usual