/ ˈregjələ(r); NAmE / adjective , noun
■ adjective
FOLLOWING PATTERN
1.
following a pattern, especially with the same time and space in between each thing and the next :
regular breathing
a regular pulse / heartbeat
A light flashed at regular intervals .
There is a regular bus service to the airport.
regular meetings / visits
The equipment is checked on a regular basis .
OPP irregular
FREQUENT
2.
done or happening often :
Do you take regular exercise?
Domestic violence is a regular occurrence in some families.
OPP irregular
3.
[ only before noun ] ( of people ) doing the same thing or going to the same place often :
our regular customers
regular offenders (= against the law)
He was a regular visitor to her house.
USUAL
4.
[ only before noun ] usual :
I couldn't see my regular doctor today.
On Monday he would have to return to his regular duties.
It's important to follow the regular procedure.
EVEN
5.
having an even shape :
a face with regular features
a regular geometric pattern
OPP irregular
PERMANENT
6.
lasting or happening over a long period :
a regular income
She couldn't find any regular employment.
STANDARD SIZE
7.
( especially NAmE ) of a standard size :
Regular or large fries?
ORDINARY
8.
[ only before noun ] ( especially NAmE ) ordinary; without any special or extra features :
Do you want regular or diet cola?
( approving )
He's just a regular guy who loves his dog.
SOLDIER
9.
[ only before noun ] belonging to or connected with the permanent armed forces or police force of a country :
a regular army / soldier
OPP irregular
GRAMMAR
10.
( especially of verbs or nouns ) changing their form in the same way as most other verbs and nouns :
The past participle of regular verbs ends in '-ed'.
OPP irregular
FOR EMPHASIS
11.
( informal ) used for emphasis to show that sb/sth is an exact or clear example of the thing mentioned :
The whole thing was a regular disaster.
■ noun
CUSTOMER
1.
a customer who often goes to a particular shop / store, pub, restaurant, etc. :
He's one of our regulars.
MEMBER OF TEAM
2.
a person who often plays in a particular team, takes part in a particular television show, etc. :
We are missing six first-team regulars because of injury.
SOLDIER
3.
a professional soldier who belongs to a country's permanent army
••
WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : from Old French reguler , from Latin regularis , from regula rule.