regular
regular — noun
- regularsingular
- regularsplural
1. a person who goes to the same shop, café, restaurant, or other place so often th
a person who goes to the same shop, café, restaurant, or other place so often that the staff know them by sight or name.
Beatriz has been a regular at this café for over two years now.
a regular at [place] — location after 'at'
The barista greeted Tuan warmly because he was a regular.
Greta became a regular at the library's Saturday book club.
became a regular at [event/place]
Several regulars at the pet shop helped Maya choose food for her cat.
regulars (plural) — group of frequent customers
The owner knows exactly what every regular likes to order for lunch.
- regular at
- become a regular
- regulars know
- regular customer
- patron
more formal; used for customers of a specific business like a hotel or theatre
- frequent visitor
emphasises coming many times rather than being known by staff
- newcomer
someone who has just started coming
- first-timer
someone visiting for the first time
Grammar Patterns
a regular at [place/event]
Usage Note
Countable noun: you can say 'a regular' (one person) or 'regulars' (more than one).
Common Mistakes
2. someone who works full-time as a member of a country's standing military forces,
someone who works full-time as a member of a country's standing military forces, unlike a temporary conscript or a part-time reservist.
The regulars were sent to guard the border during the conflict.
the regulars — collective term for career soldiers
Unlike the reservists, the regulars had completed a full year of training.
Daichi served as a regular for twelve years before retiring from the army.
serve as a regular for [duration]
The government decided to send regulars instead of temporary volunteers.
- the regulars
- serve as a regular
- regular army
- regular forces
- career soldier
broader term; can include non-commissioned officers and officers
- full-time soldier
focuses on the employment status rather than the military branch
Grammar Patterns
the regulars (as a group)
serve as a regular
Usage Note
Often used in the plural ('the regulars') to refer to an army unit's permanent personnel. Contrasted with 'reservists' or 'volunteers'.
Common Mistakes
3. a member of a sports team who is picked to play in most of the team's matches, r
a member of a sports team who is picked to play in most of the team's matches, rather than sitting on the bench.
Élise earned her place as a regular by scoring in three straight games.
earn a place as a regular — achieved through performance
The coach named Amani a regular in the starting lineup for the season.
Only two regulars from last season are still on the basketball team this year.
regulars from last season — plural, temporal context
Christopher hoped a strong pre-season would make him a regular again.
make [person] a regular — hope to achieve regular status
Reema became a regular on the football team after impressing the coach.
- regular in/on
- become a regular
- team regular
- regular lineup
- starter
specifically the first eleven or starting five, not just a frequent player
- first-team player
more common in British football context
- substitute
a player who comes on during the game to replace someone
- bench player
a player who is available but does not usually start
Grammar Patterns
a regular in/on [team]
become a regular
Usage Note
Common in sports commentary and team discussions. 'Regular' contrasts with 'substitute', 'reserve', or 'bench player'.
Common Mistakes
on the regular
idiomhappening frequently or as an established habit; on a recurring basis.
Tamar calls her grandmother on the regular to check if she needs anything.
The band posts new songs on the regular and keeps fans excited.
regular — adjective
- regularpositive
- more regularcomparative
- most regularsuperlative
1. happening or taking place many times over a period of time; done often.
happening or taking place many times over a period of time; done often.
Henrik makes regular visits to his grandmother every Sunday afternoon.
collocation: regular visits
Ayesha schedules regular check-ups at the clinic to monitor her blood pressure.
regular check-ups
Mert receives regular email updates about his team's project milestones.
Nala gives her tomato plants regular watering during the hot summer weather.
The bus company runs regular services between the airport and the city centre.
regular services / regular trips
- regular visits
- regular check-ups
- regular meetings
- regular updates
- regular services
- regular exercise
- occasional
happening sometimes but not often or on a fixed schedule
- infrequent
happening rarely
Grammar Patterns
regular + noun (visits, check-ups, meetings, updates)
Usage Note
Frequently placed before nouns that describe repeated events, appointments, or routines. The noun names something that happens at short, consistent intervals.
Common Mistakes
2. repeating with equal periods of time or equal spaces between one occurrence and
repeating with equal periods of time or equal spaces between one occurrence and the next.
Nala's heartbeat remained steady and regular throughout the ten-kilometre run.
predicative: be + regular; collocation: regular heartbeat
The trees along the avenue were planted at regular intervals of three metres.
at regular intervals
Eric checked the oven at regular intervals while the cake was baking inside.
Anong set her watch to beep at regular intervals to remind her to stretch.
The dentist told Liam that brushing twice a day at regular times keeps gums healthy.
at regular times
- regular intervals
- regular heartbeat
- regular breathing
- regular pulse
- at regular times
- regular spacing
Grammar Patterns
regular + noun (heartbeat, intervals, breathing)
be + regular
Usage Note
Very commonly used in the phrase 'at regular intervals' to describe something that happens repeatedly with equal gaps. Can be used both before a noun (attributive) and after a linking verb (predicative).
Common Mistakes
3. having bowel movements often enough to stay healthy, without constipation or dis
having bowel movements often enough to stay healthy, without constipation or discomfort.
The doctor asked Andrés if he had been regular since the operation last month.
predicative: had been regular
Min's grandmother drinks warm water every morning to keep her digestive system regular.
keep [possessive] regular — digestive health context
Eating plenty of fibre helps older people stay regular and feel more comfortable.
The nutritionist recommended more fruit and vegetables to help keep digestion regular.
keep [possessive] regular — digestive health
- stay regular
- keep regular
- be regular
- remain regular
- not constipated
the plain descriptive phrase; more clinical and specific
- constipated
unable to empty the bowels frequently or comfortably
Grammar Patterns
be regular
stay regular
keep regular
Usage Note
Used only predicatively — never placed before a noun (*a regular person to mean this sense). Common in health advice and medical contexts. Frequently paired with 'stay', 'keep', or 'remain'.
Common Mistakes
4. having a menstrual cycle that occurs at approximately the same time each month,
having a menstrual cycle that occurs at approximately the same time each month, with similar length each time.
Lara uses a cycle tracker to see whether her period is regular each month.
predicative: be regular; menstrual health context
Young women often take time to become regular after their first period.
Élise asked her doctor whether exercise could help her stay regular each month.
stay regular
A gynaecologist explained that irregular cycles are common during the teenage years.
- be regular
- stay regular
- regular cycle
- regular period
- irregular
having menstrual cycles that vary in length or timing from month to month
Grammar Patterns
be regular
stay regular
Usage Note
Distinguish from sense 3 (BOWEL MOVEMENTS): this sense specifically describes menstrual cycles. Both senses are predicative and share similar grammatical patterns, so the topic of the sentence must clarify which bodily function is being discussed.
Common Mistakes
5. of the usual or standard kind; not special, different, or extra in any way.
of the usual or standard kind; not special, different, or extra in any way.
Liam ordered a regular coffee with no sugar or any kind of milk.
collocation: regular coffee
The regular price of that jacket is fifty dollars, but it is on sale today.
regular price
Élise bought the regular size of toothpaste instead of the travel-size tube.
regular size
The office uses regular paper for everyday printing and copying tasks.
Mira ordered a regular pizza with cheese and tomato sauce for the party.
- regular coffee
- regular price
- regular size
- regular paper
- regular version
- regular meal
Grammar Patterns
regular + noun (size, price, coffee, paper)
Usage Note
Common in retail and food-service contexts to distinguish the standard option from a special, large, or premium version. Often modifies product features: size, price, version, or ingredients.
Common Mistakes
6. following the most common rules of word formation in a language, rather than hav
following the most common rules of word formation in a language, rather than having special or unusual forms.
In English, most verbs are regular and add "-ed" to form the past tense.
regular verb — add -ed for past tense
The word "book" is a regular noun because its plural is simply "books."
regular noun — add -s for plural
Eric's Spanish teacher taught him the endings for regular verbs ending in "-ar."
Min finds it easier to learn regular verbs than the ones with irregular forms.
The textbook lists all the regular adjectives that take "-er" and "-est" endings.
regular adjective — add -er / -est
- regular verb
- regular noun
- regular adjective
- regular plural
- regular form
- regular inflection
- standard
broader than grammar; can describe any conventional form or method
- conforming
more formal; emphasises compliance with rules
- irregular
not following the standard rules of word formation; having special forms
Grammar Patterns
regular + noun (verb, noun, adjective, plural)
Usage Note
Applied to verbs, nouns, adjectives, and other word classes that follow the standard inflection patterns of a language (e.g., adding -ed for past tense, -s for plural, -er/-est for comparative/superlative). The opposite is 'irregular'.
Common Mistakes
7. describes an ordinary person whose normal behaviour makes others feel comfortabl
describes an ordinary person whose normal behaviour makes others feel comfortable and willing to trust them.
Haruto is a regular guy who enjoys watching football with his friends on weekends.
collocation: regular guy
Despite his fame, the singer stayed a regular person that neighbours could trust.
collocation: regular person
Roya's father was known as a regular man who always kept his promises.
Samir preferred being a regular team member rather than the captain.
Mert is just a regular guy who helps his elderly neighbours carry their groceries.
- regular guy
- regular person
- regular man
- regular team member
- eccentric
suggests odd or unusual behaviour that may make others uncomfortable
Grammar Patterns
regular + noun
be + regular
Usage Note
Unlike the ORDINARY sense (index 5), which applies to things and situations, this sense is specifically used to describe a person's character and social trustworthiness.
Common Mistakes
8. describes a military force that is maintained permanently as part of a country's
describes a military force that is maintained permanently as part of a country's official defence structure, or a soldier who serves in such a force, as opposed to temporary units or volunteer groups.
The country's regular army consists of 50,000 trained soldiers.
attributive: regular army
After completing basic training, Noa became a regular soldier in the national defence force.
attributive: regular soldier
Regular troops were sent to guard the border crossing day and night.
attributive: regular troops
Eve chose to join the regular military rather than the reserve unit.
The regular forces received better training and equipment than the volunteer militia.
- regular army
- regular soldier
- regular troops
- regular forces
- regular military
- standing
more specific; refers to a permanently established army rather than any military personnel
- professional
emphasises paid, career soldiers rather than the permanent nature of the force
Grammar Patterns
regular + military noun
Usage Note
Primarily used attributively before military nouns such as army, soldier, troops, forces, and military. Cannot be used predicatively in this sense (❌ 'This army is regular' would be misunderstood).
9. having a balanced shape or arrangement in which matching parts face each other o
having a balanced shape or arrangement in which matching parts face each other on opposite sides, often with equal spacing or size.
The garden had a regular pattern with flowers planted at equal distances.
describing even spacing in a pattern
Dewi arranged the chairs in a regular formation so each row lined up perfectly.
A regular hexagon has six sides of equal length and six equal angles.
geometry: regular polygon with equal sides and angles
The artist painted a regular design that repeated the same shape on both sides.
Tuan cut the paper into a regular star with five identical points.
- regular pattern
- regular shape
- regular formation
- regular design
- regular hexagon
- symmetrical
direct synonym; more common in everyday descriptions of shapes
- even
broader; can mean level, smooth, or equal in addition to symmetrical
- balanced
emphasises visual harmony rather than strict mirrored arrangement
- uniform
focuses on consistency across the whole rather than symmetry
- irregular
the direct opposite; describes shapes or arrangements that are uneven or asymmetrical
- asymmetrical
specifically describes the absence of symmetry
Grammar Patterns
regular + noun
be + regular
Usage Note
Distinguish from the EVEN INTERVALS sense (index 2): that sense focuses on time between events, while this sense focuses on physical shape, arrangement, or pattern where opposite sides or parts match.
Common Mistakes
10. used before a noun to emphasize that something is a very clear or extreme exampl
used before a noun to emphasize that something is a very clear or extreme example of a particular type, often with a negative or surprising quality.
The party was a regular disaster because the food burnt and the music stopped.
informal intensifier: a regular disaster
When Élise forgot her lines, it was a regular nightmare for the whole cast.
After the storm, the garden was a regular mess with broken branches everywhere.
informal intensifier: a regular mess
Eshe's little brother made a regular scene at the supermarket by crying loudly.
Cleaning the old storage room turned into a regular adventure when they found photographs.
- regular disaster
- regular mess
- regular nightmare
- regular scene
- absolute
similar intensifier; slightly more formal and more commonly used
- complete
also used as an intensifier but feels more neutral in register
- total
a common intensifier synonym; often used with the same nouns (total disaster, total mess)
- out-and-out
stronger emphasis; less common but very emphatic
Grammar Patterns
regular + noun (emphatic)
Usage Note
Always used attributively before a noun. The noun that follows is typically something undesirable (disaster, mess, nightmare) but can occasionally be neutral or mildly positive (adventure). This is an informal, emphatic use common in everyday speech.
Common Mistakes
Happening at exactly the same time or in exactly the same way each time.
Maya arrives at the office at 8:30, regular as clockwork.
The bus comes every ten minutes, as regular as clockwork.
Word family
- irregularadjectiveB1
- irregularitynounC1
- irregularlyadverbB2
- regulateverbB2
- regulationnounB2
- regulatornounC1
- regulatoryadjectiveC1
- regularitynounB2
- regularizeverbC2
- regularlyadverbA2
Synonym discussion
Sense: adjective/5
在「一般／標準」的義項中，regular 強調符合常規或慣例，與 normal（正常、無異常）、standard（符合公認規格）、typical（具代表性）相近但略有不同：regular 側重「與多數情況一致」，normal 側重「無異常或偏差」，standard 強調「符合公認的基準」，typical 則指「具該類事物的共同特徵」。而在「間隔固定」的義項（見形容詞第 2 義）中，regular 與 uniform（完全一致）、even（均等分配）、steady（穩定持續）的差別在於：regular 著重「固定的重複頻率」，uniform 強調「每個單位完全相同」，even 指出「分布均勻無落差」，steady 則凸顯「不間斷且穩定」。例如：The bus runs at regular intervals（固定間隔發車）強調頻率一致；The paint is uniform in colour（顏色均勻一致）強調沒有任何差異；A steady income（穩定的收入）強調不中斷。
Common collocations
Nouns
- regular basis
- regular intervals
- regular exercise
- regular customer
- regular check-ups
- regular price
- regular size
- regular service
- regular hours
Adverbs
- fairly regular
- pretty regular
- highly regular
- perfectly regular
Phrases
- on a regular basis
- on the regular
- more regular than
- regular as clockwork
Prepositions
- on a regular basis
- at regular intervals
Etymology
From Latin 'regula' meaning 'rule' or 'straight stick', via Old French 'reguler' in the 14th century. The core idea of 'following a rule' developed into the modern senses of 'normal, standard' (ORDINARY), 'happening at fixed intervals' (FREQUENT, EVEN INTERVALS), and 'conforming to grammatical rules' (GRAMMAR).