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
Carrie Feibel, NPR, 29 Apr. 2024
Left-wing antisemitism enjoys the benefit of a credulous news media that can’t seem to see what ordinary people do.
—Becket Adams, National Review, 28 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for ordinary 
Adjective
What triggered the 2019 argument between Brett and Mandie was something banal, ordinary and irrelevant, both of them say.
—Carrie Feibel, NPR, 29 Apr. 2024
Left-wing antisemitism enjoys the benefit of a credulous news media that can’t seem to see what ordinary people do.
—Becket Adams, National Review, 28 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for ordinary
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ordinary.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near ordinary
Cite this Entry
“Ordinary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ordinary. Accessed 4 May. 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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