Regular means happening at steady, predictable intervals or following an established pattern. A regular bedtime means going to sleep at roughly the same time each night. Regular practice means showing up consistently on a schedule you can count on. When a teacher gives regular quizzes, students know to expect them on a predictable schedule, like every Friday.

The word also describes something normal or standard, without special features. A regular pencil is just an ordinary pencil, not a mechanical one or one with a special grip. At a restaurant, a regular burger comes with the standard toppings, while a deluxe burger has extra ingredients. Regular gasoline is the basic fuel option, not premium.

In mathematics, regular has special meanings. A regular polygon has all equal sides and equal angles, like a square or an equilateral triangle. Regular shapes have a pleasing symmetry that irregular shapes lack.

People sometimes use regular as a noun to describe someone who visits a place frequently. A regular customer at a bookstore comes in so often that the staff recognizes them. Your grandfather might be a regular at his favorite diner, where the waitress knows his usual order.

The opposite of regular is irregular: unpredictable, inconsistent, or unusual. Understanding regularity helps us recognize patterns, build habits, and know what to expect.