or·di·nary
ˈȯr-də-ˌner-ē 
2
3
: having or constituting immediate or original jurisdiction
also
: belonging to such jurisdiction
plural ordinaries
1
: the regular or customary condition or course of things
—usually used in the phrase out of the ordinary
We haven't done anything out of the ordinary.
2
a(1)
: a prelate exercising original jurisdiction over a specified territory or group
The ordinary of a diocese is a bishop.
(2)
: a clergyman appointed formerly in England to attend condemned criminals
b
: a judge of probate in some states of the U.S.
3
often capitalized
: the parts of the Mass that do not vary from day to day
The "Our Father" is part of the ordinary of the Mass.
4
a
British
: a meal served to all comers at a fixed price
b
chiefly British
: a tavern or eating house serving regular meals
5
: a common heraldic charge (such as the bend) of simple form (see charge entry 2 sense 7a)
Synonyms
Examples of ordinary in a Sentence
Adjective
They've had the ordinary problems associated with starting a new business.
My wife thought our guide was strange, but he seemed perfectly ordinary to me.
The meal was ordinary and uninspired.
Recent Examples on the Web
Forbes Travel Guide, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024
Holliman had done several guest-starring roles on 1950s TV before making history as the focus of the first episode of The Twilight Zone, Rod Serling’s landmark anthology series that put ordinary people in extraordinary situations.
—Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 26 Nov. 2024
Adam Mansuroglu, WWD, 1 Nov. 2024
The works, said to be meditations on the ordinary that let the subjects breathe, speak the same cinematic language as A New York Minute.
—Chris Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for ordinary 
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Adjective
To find the best hotels in Miami, our incognito inspectors posed as ordinary guests and stayed multiple nights at each property.
—Forbes Travel Guide, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024
Holliman had done several guest-starring roles on 1950s TV before making history as the focus of the first episode of The Twilight Zone, Rod Serling’s landmark anthology series that put ordinary people in extraordinary situations.
—Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 26 Nov. 2024
Noun
These pieces can transform one’s daily bathing ritual from an ordinary to a spa-like experience.
—Adam Mansuroglu, WWD, 1 Nov. 2024
The works, said to be meditations on the ordinary that let the subjects breathe, speak the same cinematic language as A New York Minute.
—Chris Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for ordinary
Dictionary Entries Near ordinary
Cite this Entry
“Ordinary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ordinary. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
ordinary
1 of 2 noun
or·di·nary
ˈȯrd-ᵊn-ˌer-ē
plural ordinaries
1
: regular or usual condition or course of things
nothing out of the ordinary
2
a
British
: a meal served to any person at a fixed price
b
chiefly British
: a restaurant serving regular meals
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