regular Hear it!

regular Definition

regu·lar (reg′yə lər)

adjective

  1. conforming in form, build, or arrangement to a rule, principle, type, standard, etc.; orderly; symmetrical regular features
  2. characterized by conformity to a fixed principle or procedure
    1. usual; customary his regular seat
    2. ☆ not a substitute; established the regular quarterback
    3. ☆ Philately for general, unrestricted use a regular issue of stamps
  4. consistent or habitual in action a regular customer
  5. recurring at set times or functioning in a normal way a regular pulse
  6. conforming to a standard or to a generally accepted rule or mode of conduct; proper
  7. properly qualified a regular doctor
  8. cubic (sense )
  9. Informal thorough; absolute; complete a regular nuisance
  10. ☆ Informal pleasant, friendly, reliable, etc. a regular fellow
  11. Bot. having all similar parts of the same shape and size; symmetrical: said of flowers
  12. Eccles. of a religious institute whose members have vows, specif. solemn vows
  13. Gram. conforming to the usual pattern in inflection, formation, etc.; specif., weak ()
  14. Math.
    1. having all angles and sides equal, as a polygon
    2. having identical regular polygons for all its faces arranged in the same way around all vertices: said of a polyhedron
    3. uniform with respect to a certain characteristic
  15. Mil.
    1. designating or of the permanently constituted, or standing, army of a country
    2. designating soldiers recognized in international law as legitimate combatants in warfare
  16. ☆ Politics designating, of, or loyal to the recognized party leadership, candidates, etc.

Etymology: ME reguler < MFr < L regularis, of a bar (in LL, regular) < regula: see rule

noun

  1. Eccles. a member of a regular religious institute
  2. a member of a regular army
  3. ☆ a regular member of an athletic team, not a substitute
  4. a clothing size for men of average height
  5. Informal one who is regular, as in attendance
  6. ☆ Politics a person who is loyal to the recognized party leadership, candidates, etc.

regular Related Forms

reg′u·lar′·ity (-lar′ə tē) noun pl. -·ties reg′u·larly adverb

regular Synonyms

regular

modif.

  1. In accordance with custom

    customary, usual, routine; see conventional 1, 2, natural 2, normal 1.

  2. In accordance with accepted rules

    proper, established, legitimate, lawful; see conventional 1, 2, legal 1.

  3. In accordance with an observable pattern

    orderly, methodical, routine, symmetrical, precise, exact, systematic, punctual, steady, uniform, even, arranged, organized, patterned, constant, congruous, consonant, accordant, consistent, invariable, formal, regulated, rational, rhythmic, periodic, measured, classified, in order, unconfused, harmonious, normal, natural, cyclic, cyclical, successive, momentary, alternating, probable, recurrent, habitual, general, usual, expected, frequent, serial, automatic, mechanical, pulsating, rotational, alternate, hourly, daily, monthly, weekly, annual, seasonal, yearly, quarterly, semiannual, diurnal, quotidian, tertian, quartan, hebdomadal, menstrual, anticipated, looked for, hoped for, counted on, relied on, fixed, generally occurring, in the natural course of events, regular as clockwork*.

    Antonyms irregular*, sporadic*, erratic. See syn. study at normal, steady.normal, steady.

regular Usage Examples

Preposition: as

clockwork: It keeps yer ' regular ' I ' go ' regular as clockwork 6.45 every morning.

Adjective modifier

few: We've spotted a few celebrity regulars at these haunts.

Modifies a noun

  • basis: Servers are expected to attend Church on a regular basis, whether on the serving schedule or not.
  • interval: Most rents are reviewed at regular intervals, maybe 3 or 5 years.
  • update: Sign up for updates Register for regular updates via our email alerts.
  • contributor: Regular site contributors are entitled to a free subscription.
  • expression: At other times you might prefer to use a regular expression to check whether data is numeric.
  • newsletter: You can opt out of our regular Newsletters at any time.

Modifying Another Word

  • fairly: The series didn't appear in every issue of Confidential, but was fairly regular nonetheless.
  • increasingly: During the past six months, property developers and investors seeking funding for their property transactions have contacted me on an increasingly regular basis.
  • so: However, you will be working hard and not yet fully accustomed to the climate of Africa, so regular water stops are taken.
  • also: Women are also regular flirts, with two in five experimenting on a fortnightly basis.
  • now: Many past winners of the competition are now regular exhibitors at the gallery.

Used with adjective complement

  • hold: We intend to hold regular Open Forum meetings to develop the work of the old AR consultative committee.
  • receive: Newsletter Subscribe to our free newsletter to receive regular Ouch!
  • organize: UK Dives - we organize regular dives in the UK suitable for all levels of experience.
  • become: I have lost weight, my periods have become more regular, my skin glows, and i have so much more energy.
  • host: With this in mind, New Frontiers have hosted regular HR seminars on legal and recruitment topics since 1996.
  • need: She will need regular shoeing and lots of forage available.

Preposition: in

side: Last season both Jim and Ken were regulars in the side that reached the semi-finals.