Happening often or in the normal way; typical of what you expect. It describes what is regular or common for a person or situation.
From Old French 'usuel', from Late Latin 'ūsuālis' meaning 'habitual', from 'ūsus' (use, habit). It has been in English since the 1300s.
Usual is about habits: what you 'usually' do is what you are 'in the habit of' doing. That’s why 'the usual' in a café can be a full sentence—your habits speak for you.
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