everyday English · revision 4971

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=compound|attested=c. 1374|origins=en every, en day}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈev.ri.deɪ/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is formed from [[every]] and [[day]],^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002) first as a noun, then as an adjective from the phrase every day.^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ As a noun, a weekday as opposed to Sunday: the late 14th century in Etymonline, about 1374 in the OED, now dialect.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The adjective, worn on ordinary days as opposed to Sundays and high days, is from the 1630s (1632 in the OED, about 1623 in MWU).^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)^(MWU 2024) Of or belonging to every day, daily, is from 1647,^(OED 1989) and met with every day, common or ordinary, from 1763.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) It was also used of commonplace, mediocre people.^(SOED 2002) ''Everydayness'' is from 1840.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1374 – a weekday.^(OED 1989)

+ * c. 1623 – first known use as an adjective.^(MWU 2024)

+ * 1632 – worn on weekdays.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1647 – daily.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1763 – common, ordinary.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Ordinary and usual; happening or used every day: ''everyday life''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)^(LDOCE 2009)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[everydayness]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[every]]

+ * [[day]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ Everyday is an adjective used before a noun, while the adverbial phrase ''every day'', meaning “each day”, is written separately.^(LDOCE 2009)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}