Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Conforming to a standard or usual pattern: Following a consistent rule, pattern, or schedule.
   • Occurring at fixed intervals: Happening repeatedly with even spacing in time.
   • Symmetrical or even: Arranged in a balanced, uniform, or orderly way.
   • Permanent or official: Being a full-time, official, or established member of a group, especially military forces.
   • Normal or customary: Conforming to what is typical or habitual for a person or thing.
   • (Informal) Complete or absolute: Used for emphasis to mean 'thorough' or 'real'.

2. Noun:

   • A habitual customer or member: A person who frequently visits a place or is a loyal member of a group.
   • A permanent member of a military force: A soldier in the standing, professional army, as opposed to a reservist or militia.
   • A garment size: A standard size for a person of average build.

Examples

• Adjective:

  • She is a regular customer at the café. (She visits the café frequently and habitually.)
  • The bus runs on a regular schedule. (The bus arrives and departs at fixed, predictable times.)
  • He has regular features. (His facial features are symmetrical and even.)
  • He served in the regular army. (He was a professional, full-time soldier in the official armed forces.)
  • It's important to have regular meals. (It's important to eat meals at customary, consistent times.)

• Noun:

  • The bartender knows all the regulars. (The bartender knows all the customers who come to the bar often.)
  • The regulars were called up first. (The full-time, professional soldiers were mobilized first.)

Advanced Usage

• "On a regular basis": Frequently and repeatedly according to a schedule.

  • We meet for coffee on a regular basis. (We meet for coffee frequently and according to a routine.)

• "Regular as clockwork": Extremely punctual and predictable.

  • He arrives at 8 AM, regular as clockwork. (He arrives at exactly 8 AM every day without fail.)

Variants and Related Words

• Regularly (adverb): In a regular manner; at uniform intervals.
  • The team meets regularly every week.
• Regularity (noun): The state or quality of being regular.
  • The regularity of his routine is impressive.
• Regularize (verb): To make something regular or official.
  • They sought to regularize their immigration status.
• Irregular (adjective): The opposite of regular; not following a pattern.
  • The coastline has an irregular shape.

Synonyms

• Adjective: Usual, normal, customary, routine, steady, even, uniform, symmetrical, standard, habitual.
• Noun: Habitue, patron, fixture, loyalist, professional (in military context).

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

(Note: "Regular" is primarily an adjective/noun and does not commonly form phrasal verbs. The following are common collocations.) - Keep regular hours: To maintain a consistent daily schedule. - She tries to keep regular hours to stay healthy. - Become a regular: To start visiting a place frequently enough to be considered a habitual customer. - After a month, he became a regular at the gym.

Related Idioms

• A regular Joe/Jane: An ordinary, average person.
  • Despite his fame, he's just a regular Joe at heart.
• In regular rotation: Following a set sequence that repeats.
  • The tasks are assigned in regular rotation among the team members.

Adjective

1. officially full-time
   • regular students
2. not deviating from what is normal
   • her regular bedtime
3. symmetrically arranged
   • even features
   • regular features
   • a regular polygon
4. not constipated
5. (of solids) having clear dimensions that can be measured; volume can be determined with a suitable geometric formula
6. (used of the military) belonging to or engaged in by legitimate army forces
   • the regular army
7. relating to a person who does something regularly
   • a regular customer
   • a steady drinker
8. occurring at fixed intervals
   • a regular beat
   • the even rhythm of his breathing
9. in accord with regular practice or procedure
   • took his regular morning walk
   • her regular bedtime
10. regularly scheduled for fixed times
    • at a regular meeting of the PTA
    • regular bus departures
11. conforming to a standard or pattern
    • following the regular procedure of the legislature
    • a regular electrical outlet
12. often used as intensifiers
    • a regular morass of details
    • a regular nincompoop
    • he's a veritable swine
13. in accordance with fixed order or procedure or principle
    • his regular calls on his customers
    • regular meals
    • regular duties

Noun

1. a garment size for persons of average height and weight
2. a dependable follower (especially in party politics)
   • he is one of the party regulars
3. a soldier in the regular army
4. a regular patron
   • an habitue of the racetrack
   • a bum who is a Central Park fixture