ORDINARY Synonyms: 220 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'ordinary' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of ordinary are common , familiar , plain , popular , and vulgar . While all these words mean "generally met with and not in any way special, strange, or unusual," ordinary stresses conformance in quality or kind with the regular order of things. // an ordinary pleasant summer day // a very ordinary sort of man

Q: When would 'common' be a good substitute for 'ordinary'?

While in some cases nearly identical to ordinary , common implies usual everyday quality or frequency of occurrence and may additionally suggest inferiority or coarseness. // a common error // lacked common honesty // common manners

Q: When is it sensible to use 'familiar' instead of 'ordinary'?

Although the words familiar and ordinary have much in common, familiar stresses the fact of being generally known and easily recognized. // a familiar melody

Q: Where would 'plain' be a reasonable alternative to 'ordinary'?

The words plain and ordinary can be used in similar contexts, but plain is likely to suggest homely simplicity. // plain hard-working people

Q: In what contexts can 'popular' take the place of 'ordinary'?

While the synonyms popular and ordinary are close in meaning, popular applies to what is accepted by or prevalent among people in general sometimes in contrast to upper classes or special groups. // a writer of popular romances

Q: How do 'vulgar' and 'popular' relate to one another, in the sense of 'ordinary'?

Vulgar , otherwise similar to popular , is likely to carry derogatory connotations (as of inferiority or coarseness). // souvenirs designed to appeal to the vulgar taste

ordinary 1 of 2

adjective

ˈȯr-də-ˌner-ē

Definition of ordinary

as in normal

being of the type that is encountered in the normal course of events it was a perfectly ordinary and undistinguished shirt

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in decent

of average to below average quality the pizza at that restaurant is just ordinary—it's nothing to write home about

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in usual

often observed or encountered an ordinary hairstyle for boys of that age

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

ordinary

2 of 2

noun

as in commonplace

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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How does the adjective ordinary contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of ordinary are common, familiar, plain, popular, and vulgar. While all these words mean "generally met with and not in any way special, strange, or unusual," ordinary stresses conformance in quality or kind with the regular order of things.

an ordinary pleasant summer day

a very ordinary sort of man

When would common be a good substitute for ordinary?

While in some cases nearly identical to ordinary, common implies usual everyday quality or frequency of occurrence and may additionally suggest inferiority or coarseness.

a common error

lacked common honesty

common manners

When is it sensible to use familiar instead of ordinary?

Although the words familiar and ordinary have much in common, familiar stresses the fact of being generally known and easily recognized.

a familiar melody

Where would plain be a reasonable alternative to ordinary?

The words plain and ordinary can be used in similar contexts, but plain is likely to suggest homely simplicity.

plain hard-working people

In what contexts can popular take the place of ordinary?

While the synonyms popular and ordinary are close in meaning, popular applies to what is accepted by or prevalent among people in general sometimes in contrast to upper classes or special groups.

a writer of popular romances

How do vulgar and popular relate to one another, in the sense of ordinary?

Vulgar, otherwise similar to popular, is likely to carry derogatory connotations (as of inferiority or coarseness).

souvenirs designed to appeal to the vulgar taste

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of ordinary

Adjective

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has ordered grid operators to address whether the costs of connecting data centers and other enormous energy users are being shifted onto ordinary ratepayers. — Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 25 Aug. 2026 Freebairn said an old pickle jar can hold a starter, and an ordinary bowl can substitute for a proofing basket. — Peter Burke, FOXNews.com, 24 Aug. 2026

Noun

Chelsea have had their fair share of entertainers since making their debut in the tournament — the individuals who can just do something out of the ordinary to make everyone realise they are being treated to a game at the highest level. — Simon Johnson, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025 Alila Napa Valley goes beyond the ordinary by offering unforgettable experiences designed to captivate modern travelers, especially Xennials. — Noel Burgess, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ordinary

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ordinary

Adjective

Although Edouard is not forecast to become a hurricane, the hurricane center has warned coastal residents to closely monitor the forecast as the storm is in an area of warmer than normal water and low wind shear, which favor strengthening.

— Doyle Rice, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026
That change was introduced to help give club staff working across transfer departments a more normal working pattern.

— Leon Imber, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of normal

Adjective

There was a time when getting a decent electric dirt bike meant spending serious money.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 26 Aug. 2026
In the Arabic-speaking pic, Barhom stars as Hichem, a customs officer on the Algerian-Tunisian border, who tries to provide a decent life for his wife Leila and little daughter Zineb.

— Annika Pham, Variety, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of decent

Adjective

Immediately, Zack-Carlos goes back to reasserting his presence in the house, eager to stay as long as possible and be his usual insufferable self.

— Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
For cats that need a larger calorie reduction, Yeo said a veterinary weight-management diet may be safer than simply serving much less of their usual food because it is formulated to provide adequate nutrients with fewer calories.

— Lauren Paige Richeson, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of usual

Noun

Wolff was only the eighth woman to drive a Formula 1 car (four more have done it since); the role, a now-commonplace one that includes driving the simulator during Grand Prix weekends to inform trackside strategy, was created for her.

— Danielle McNally, InStyle, 28 May 2026
The videos are often integrated into larger montages of drone strikes, underscoring how commonplace these drones have become for Russian forces.

— Vikram Mittal, Forbes.com, 23 May 2026

Definition of commonplace

Adjective

Across this period, there has been a strong correlation between higher average possession and points per game.

— Jon Mackenzie, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
The required earnings amount is adjusted annually to reflect changes in average wages, so the threshold generally rises over time.

— Miranda Marquit, Encyclopedia Britannica, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of average

Adjective

The rice is stirred over medium heat for a few minutes, giving the grains time to become opaque or lightly golden and release a toasty, nutty aroma.

— Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 26 Aug. 2026
In a medium bowl, combine the garlic, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, and onions.

— ABC News, ABC News, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of medium

Adjective

The Gap's heyday was 20 years ago, when its stores were ubiquitous and everyone wore its T-shirts and jeans.

— Jim Edwards, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2026
Kusama’s popularity continued to surge in the 2010s and 2020s, with her ubiquitous pumpkin sculptures as well as with fashion collaborations, including two with Louis Vuitton.

— Livia Caligor, Architectural Digest, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of ubiquitous

Noun

The Big Ten, Big 12 and ACC have all passed similar rules against signing the players, along with penalties against teams for doing so.

— Seth Emerson, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Fisheries as the sticking point Under EU rules, fishing quotas are based on historical fishing patterns, among other things.

— Reuters, NBC news, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of rule

Browse Nearby Words

ordinariness

ordinary

ordination

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“Ordinary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ordinary. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of ordinary

adjective

noun

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Synonyms of ordinary

adjective

noun

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