Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Expected or depended upon as a natural or logical outcome: Describes something that is considered routine, inevitable, or following so obviously from the circumstances that it is taken for granted.

Usage

• The adjective matter-of-course is used to modify a noun, indicating that the thing described is so normal or predictable that it requires no special attention or thought. It often implies a sense of inevitability or routine acceptance.

Examples

• Adjective:
  • After years of dedicated service, her promotion was a matter-of-course event.
  • In that traditional family, children caring for their elderly parents is a matter-of-course responsibility.
  • With their superior technology, victory seemed matter-of-course.

Advanced Usage

• As a predicate adjective: Often follows a linking verb like "seem," "become," or "be."
  • His apology seemed matter-of-course after such a public mistake.
• Impersonal constructions: Used to describe situations or outcomes.
  • It is matter-of-course for the committee to review all applications.

Variants and Related Words

• Matter of course (Noun Phrase): A thing that is expected or inevitable as a natural consequence.
  • Wearing a uniform was just a matter of course at the military academy.
• As a matter of course (Adverbial Phrase): Done routinely or automatically.
  • The system runs diagnostics as a matter of course every night.

Synonyms

• Automatic: Done spontaneously without conscious thought.
• Routine: Regular and habitual.
• Inevitable: Certain to happen; unavoidable.
• Foreseeable: Able to be predicted or anticipated.
• Taken for granted: Accepted as true or as certain to happen without proof.

Antonyms

• Unexpected: Not expected or regarded as likely to happen.
• Extraordinary: Very unusual or remarkable.
• Surprising: Causing a feeling of surprise.
• Unforeseen: Not anticipated or predicted.

Notes

• The hyphenated form matter-of-course functions specifically as an adjective. The unhyphenated noun phrase matter of course and the adverbial phrase as a matter of course are more commonly used. The adjective form often carries a slightly formal tone.

Adjective

1. expected or depended upon as a natural or logical outcome