# usual

/ˈjuʒəwəɫ/ (US) · /jˈuːʒuːəl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/usual
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. typical or frequent

adjective · CEFR A2

something that happens most of the time or is what you expect to see.

For teachers: occurring or used most commonly; conforming to a typical pattern or habit.

- I went for my usual walk in the park after finishing work.
- Despite the heavy rain, the shop opened at its usual time to accommodate the early morning commuters.

### 2. a regular order

noun · CEFR B1 · Informal

the drink or food that you always order in a place you visit often.

For teachers: a specific item, typically a drink or meal, that a customer habitually orders in a particular establishment.

- The bartender saw me coming and already had my usual ready on the counter.
- He didn't even look at the menu, simply nodding to the waiter who knew to bring his usual of black coffee and a croissant.

### 3. the normal state

noun · CEFR B1

the way things normally are.

For teachers: the typical or expected state of affairs; often used in the phrase 'than usual'.

- The streets were much quieter than usual on Sunday morning.
- The traffic was significantly heavier than usual due to the construction work on the main bridge.

Usage: Commonly follows 'than' or 'as' to compare a current state to a typical one.

## Examples

- I will meet you at the usual time.
- She ordered her usual coffee and sat at the small table by the window to read.
- Despite the heavy rain, the shop opened at its usual hour, maintaining its long-standing commitment to serving the local community regardless of the weather.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.