regular

Everyday

1. Regular means happening again and again at the same times or with the same space between («regular meals», «a regular heartbeat»). tree →
2. Regular means usual or normal («my regular seat»; in the USA, a regular size). tree →
3. In maths a regular shape has all sides the same length and all angles the same size. tree →
4. In grammar a regular verb forms its past with -ed. tree →
5. A regular is a person who often goes to the same place, like a café or club. tree →
6. Informally, regular can also mean real or complete, as in "a regular feast". tree →

In the lessons

In maths, regular polygons (equilateral triangle, square, regular hexagon) are key: all sides and angles equal. In English grammar, regular verbs (walk–walked) contrast with irregular ones (go–went). In health lessons, regular exercise, sleep and meals keep us well. Phrases: «on a regular basis», «regular as clockwork», «regular polygon», «regular verb».

Examples

• A square is a regular shape because all its sides and angles are equal. tree →
• Brush your teeth at regular times every day. tree →
• «Jump» is a regular verb: its past is «jumped». tree →
• The doctor checked that my heartbeat was regular. tree →
• Mr Patel is a regular at the café. tree →
• Take regular breaks when you use a screen. tree →
• Could I have a regular hot chocolate, please? tree →
• The buses come at regular intervals, every 15 minutes. tree →
• My larder is a regular horn of plenty. tree →

Note

Adverb «regularly»; noun «regularity»; opposite «irregular». In maths, a rectangle is not regular (sides differ) and a rhombus is not regular (angles differ); each interior angle of a regular polygon with n sides is (n − 2) × 180° ÷ n, and the perimeter is n times one side.