routine

A routine is something that you do regularly. We often use this word to describe every day activities and schedules.

In these examples, the word "routine" is a noun:

• What’s your daily routine like?
• Do you like your routine?
• My morning routine includes drinking coffee and reading the newspaper.
• Edward says he’s tired of the daily routine at work. He needs something new.
• Beatrice doesn’t want to change her routine. She likes things the way they are.
• Sarah is working on a new dance routine. (A routine can also be a well-rehearsed performance.)

In this next set of sentences, the word "routine" is an adjective.

• The doctor said the surgery was a routine procedure.
• The police made a routine visit to the neighborhood.
• The nurse read through a routine set of questions before the patient saw the doctor.
• She’s tired of the doing the same old routine tasks at work.

The word "routinely" is an adverb:

• He routinely misses work.
• She’s routinely prompt.
• They’re routinely absent from class.

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Published July 25, 2013. Updated July 9, 2017.