Routine

/ruːˈtiːn/

nounBeginner🔥Very CommonAction
2 meanings1 idiom/phrase3 questions

Definitions

2 meanings
1

A customary or regular course of procedure.

/ruːˈtiːn/

nounneutralBeginner
Action

A sequence of actions regularly followed

The doctor established a new routine of checking patients' vitals.

💡 Simply: Imagine your day is like a playlist. A routine is a list of things you always do in the same order. Like, every day after school you might have a routine of doing your homework and then playing games.

👶 For kids: A routine is a set of things you do in the same way every day.

More Examples

2

She enjoys the routine of her morning commute.

3

The team practiced their dance routine before the competition.

How It's Used

Daily Life

"My morning routine includes waking up, showering, and eating breakfast."

Sports

"The gymnast performed her routine flawlessly."

2

Of or characterized by a fixed or established mode of procedure.

/ruːˈtiːn/

adjectiveneutralmedium
Quality

Performed as part of a regular routine

Routine maintenance on the car prevented bigger problems.

💡 Simply: When something's routine, it's like a regular part of a schedule. If you go to the library every Saturday, that's your routine visit!

👶 For kids: If something is routine, it means you do it all the time.

More Examples

2

The dentist gave me a routine checkup.

3

We had a routine check of all the locks and doors.

How It's Used

Business

"The company's routine inspection of the equipment is critical for safety."

Healthcare

"Routine vaccinations are essential for public health."

Tip:Something done repeatedly.

Idioms & expressions

out of routine

Not following the usual pattern or schedule.

"He was tired of being out of routine and wanted to get back to his normal schedule."

From French *routine* (1800), from *route* (way, road), from Latin *rupta* (broken), past participle of *rumpere* (to break).

The word 'routine' entered English in the early 19th century and originally referred to a prescribed course or method, often in a military or administrative context.

Memory tip

Think of a road (route) you take repeatedly.

Word Origin

LanguageFrench
Original meaning

"way, path"

daily routinemorning routineroutine checkuproutine maintenancebreak the routine

Common misspellings

routienrouteen

Usage

60%Spoken
40%Written