What does regular mean?
Regular describes something that follows a predictable pattern, occurs at steady intervals, or conforms to accepted rules and conventions. A regular meeting is one that happens at the same time each week, while a regular procedure follows an established sequence and a regular shape has an even, orderly form. The adjective can also mean customary or typical, as in a regular customer, and it is used in military language for forces or soldiers who belong to the standing army rather than a special unit. As a verb, regular means to make something regular or bring it into a consistent standard. The word often conveys reliability and order, but in informal contexts it can suggest something ordinary or unremarkable. Its history links it to Latin regula, a rule or standard, reflecting the idea that regularity comes from following a governing pattern.
Occurring at predictable intervals, following a consistent pattern, or conforming to an established rule or standard.
"She attends regular exercise classes three times a week."
The sense “customary or typical” is common, but can imply that something is ordinary rather than exceptional.
A member of a regular, standing military force, especially as opposed to a member of a militia or special service.
"The regulars guarded the border throughout the winter."
In military contexts, the term is established and often contrasts with irregular forces. More broadly, it can refer informally to a regular customer or attendee.
To make something regular, consistent, or conforming to a standard.
"The committee worked to regularize the filing process."
This is less common in everyday use than the adjective, and the usual verb form is “regularize” in formal English.
The plural is standard when referring to members of a regular military force; it is also occasionally used for regular customers or attendees.
"The regulars returned to the training ground before dawn."
A regular event earns its name from Latin regula, meaning “rule” or “straight line”: regularity is the art of following a pattern.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does regular come from?
Regular comes through Middle English from Latin regularis, meaning “according to rule” or “in accordance with order.” The underlying root is the Latin verb regere, meaning “to rule” or “to direct,” also the source of words such as regulate and regulation. In English, the word developed from a general sense of conformity to rules into its modern meanings concerning consistent frequency, orderly arrangement, customary practice, and military service.
Related word forms
How regular is actually used
In its most common sense, regular describes predictable frequency, arrangement, or practice. It can also imply conformity to convention, so describing someone as regular may sound slightly traditional or unexceptional depending on context. As a noun, it is most established in military usage.
Easily confused with regular
Regular describes something that follows a consistent pattern or established rule, whereas irregular describes something that departs from that pattern.