Etymology Map
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Ordinary

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means with no special features

Where does the word "ordinary" come from? It comes from Latin ordinarius, passing through Old French before entering English (1400s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
ordinarius
Latin · ancient
"orderly"
from 'ordo', order
2
Stage 2 of 3
ordinarie
Old French · medieval
"regular"
a bishop is called the 'ordinary' of his diocese in church law
3
Stage 3 of 3
ordinary
English · 1400s
"regular"
'out of the ordinary' dates from the 1600s
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Read the full story

Ordinary’s story begins in Latin: ordinarius meant “orderly.” From 'ordo', order. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as ordinarie. A bishop is called the 'ordinary' of his diocese in church law. It reached English by 1400s as ordinary. 'out of the ordinary' dates from the 1600s. Today, ordinary means with no special features.