routinely
gb/ɹutˈinli/ us/ɹutˈinli/
B2
English
~ 5700
Senses
0 senses
adverb
B2
relation
1
regularly, as a usual habit
Happening again and again in the same way because it is normal or usual.
Usage pattern:
[someone] routinely [verb]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *"I do this routine"* instead of using the adverb and saying *"I do this routinely"*. Another common mistake is word order, such as *"He goes routinely to the gym"*; it is more natural to say *"He routinely goes to the gym"* or *"He goes to the gym routinely"*.
Synonyms
regularly (Most common everyday alternative; very close in meaning but slightly less formal.)
|
habitually (Suggests a strong personal habit; slightly more formal or written than 'routinely'.)
|
typically (Focuses more on what usually happens, not always on a fixed schedule.)
Antonyms
rarely (Opposite in terms of frequency; describes something that does not happen often.)
|
occasionally (Suggests something that happens from time to time, not on a regular pattern.)
Collocations
routinely check
|routinely use
|routinely take
|routinely exercise
|routinely work late
|routinely forget
Themes
daily life
|habits
|work
|core_vocabulary
|daily_life
Examples
- She routinely gets up at 5 a.m. to go running.
- The team routinely meets on Monday mornings to review progress.
- He routinely forgets to lock the back door when he leaves.
- They routinely eat out on Fridays after work.
- Our company routinely sends newsletters to all customers.
Learner examples
- I routinely drink coffee before work.
- He routinely calls his parents on Sunday.
- The students routinely come late to this class.
- We routinely watch TV after dinner.
- She routinely checks her email in the morning.
unknown
B2
relation
2
as a normal, automatic procedure
Done in the normal way that is always followed, without special thought each time.
Usage pattern:
[something] is routinely [past participle]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this sense with 'regularly' for personal habits. In sentences like *"Luggage is routinely checked"*, 'routinely' describes a standard procedure, not someone's habit. Another mistake is using 'routine' instead of 'routinely', as in *"Bags are routine checked"*; the correct adverb is 'routinely'.
Synonyms
automatically (Stresses that something happens without extra thought; can also refer to machines, while 'routinely' focuses on standard procedure.)
|
as a matter of course (A common phrase with similar meaning, but slightly more formal and idiomatic.)
|
as standard (Often used in institutional or technical contexts to indicate a built-in or expected procedure.)
Antonyms
exceptionally (Suggests something is done only in special cases, not as a standard procedure.)
|
rarely (Highlights that something is not part of normal procedure and almost never happens.)
Collocations
is routinely tested
|is routinely checked
|is routinely carried out
|are routinely screened
|is routinely performed
|is routinely required
Themes
work
|business
|law
|health
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- All bags are routinely checked at the airport security checkpoint.
- New employees are routinely given safety training during their first week.
- Blood samples are routinely tested for several common infections.
- Customer calls are routinely recorded for quality and training purposes.
- Sensitive data is routinely backed up to prevent loss.
Learner examples
- At this hospital, patients are routinely tested for COVID.
- In this company, we are routinely asked to change our passwords.
- Cars are routinely checked before they leave the factory.
- At the border, passports are routinely scanned.
- These reports are routinely reviewed by a manager.
Grammar
Dictionary form
routinely
IPA
GB/ɹutˈinli/
US/ɹutˈinli/
Syllables & stress
routinely (1 syllable)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: routinely
- Plural: routinelies
Word family
Forms
routinelies
noun
Core family
routine
noun A2
Negative and opposite forms
non-routine
adjective
Advanced or less common
routinize
verb
routinization
noun
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.