Ordinarity

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. The state or quality of being usual, normal, or commonplace without any special features or distinctions
2. A condition characterized by lack of uniqueness or exceptional traits, representing the everyday or average
3. The characteristic of being standard, typical, or unremarkable, reflecting normalcy or regularity

Etymology: "Ordinarity" is formed from "ordinary" and the suffix "-ity," which turns an adjective into a noun meaning the quality or state of being that adjective. "Ordinary" itself comes from Latin "ordinarius," meaning "orderly" or "according to rule," from "ordo," "order," so the word's core idea is of something conforming to a regular arrangement. The suffix "-ity" arrived in English through Old French from Latin "-itas," and it attaches to many adjectives to form abstract nouns such as "rarity" and "popularity." The noun "ordinarity" follows the same pattern. Its French counterpart "ordinarité" shows the same construction, so English most likely formed the word on that model, though the source does not give a firm date for its first use.

Synonyms: commonness, mediocrity, normalcy, usualness, banality

Antonyms: uniqueness, exceptionality, singularity, rarity, extraordinariness