A routine is the usual series of things that you do at a particular time. A routine is also the practice of regularly doing things in a fixed order.
The players had to change their daily routine and lifestyle.
They include the floor exercises as a regular part of their fitness routine.
He checked up on you as a matter of routine.
Synonyms: procedure, programme, way, order More Synonyms of routine
2. adjective [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
You use routine to describe activities that are done as a normal part of a job or process.
...a series of routine medical tests.
The operator has to be able to carry out routine maintenance of the machine.
Synonyms: usual, standard, normal, customary More Synonyms of routine
3. adjective
A routine situation, action, or event is one which seems completely ordinary, rather than interesting, exciting, or different.
[disapproval]
So many days are routine and uninteresting, especially in winter.
...this routine thriller about a CIA man and a KGB operative.
Synonyms: boring, dull, predictable, tedious More Synonyms of routine
4. variable noun
You use routine to refer to a way of life that is uninteresting and ordinary, or hardly ever changes.
[disapproval]
...the mundane routine of her life.
Family holidays are meant to be a break from routine.
Synonyms: grind [informal], tedium, monotony, banality More Synonyms of routine
5. countable noun
A routine is a computer program, or part of a program, that performs a specific function.
[computing]
... an installation routine.
6. countable noun [usually noun NOUN]
A routine is a short sequence of jokes, remarks, actions, or movements that forms part of a longer performance.
... like a Marx Brothers routine.
...an athletic dance routine.
Synonyms: performance, sketch, turn, line More Synonyms of routine
routine in British English
(ruːˈtiːn)
noun
1.
a usual or regular method of procedure, esp one that is unvarying
2. computing
a program or part of a program performing a specific function
an input routine
an output routine
3.
a set sequence of dance steps
4. informal
a hackneyed or insincere speech
adjective
5.
of, relating to, or characteristic of routine
Derived forms
routinely (rouˈtinely)
adverb
Word origin
C17: from Old French, from route a customary way, route
routine in American English
(ruˈtin)
noun
1.
a regular, more or less unvarying procedure, customary, prescribed, or habitual, as of business or daily life
2.
such procedure in general
to dislike routine
3.
a theatrical skit or act
4. US
a series of steps, body movements, etc. in a dance performance, in gymnastics, etc.
5.
a set of computer instructions for performing a specific operation
adjective
6.
having the nature of, using, or by routine
Derived forms
routinely (rouˈtinely)
adverb
Word origin
Fr < route: see route
COBUILD Collocations
routine
beauty routine
bedtime routine
comedy routine
daily routine
dance routine
establish a routine
exercise routine
familiar routine
floor routine
gym routine
make-up routine
morning routine
normal routine
perform a routine
regular routine
rigid routine
stand-up routine
strict routine
warm-up routine
Examples of 'routine' in a sentence
routine
Build regular relaxation routines into your life.
The Sun (2016)
Her fans copy her look as assiduously as they learn her dance routines.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
If three meals a day fit best into your daily routine then stick with this pattern.
The Sun (2016)
The golds are hard but you have to do one routine well.
The Sun (2016)
Her lack of qualifications were picked up by a routine check.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Having a regular routine can help.
The Sun (2016)
Make fitness part of your routine and you won't notice it.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Some of the contestants have worked for as long as 10 years to perfect the routines they perform on the show.
The Sun (2016)
The world silver medallist nailed his routine on the Floor, while others faltered.
The Sun (2016)
Police spotted the vehicle during a routine patrol and a check found it had been nicked.
The Sun (2009)
The most demanding days are the ones where you have to learn a dance or fight routine.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
His running routine is one of monastic simplicity and discipline.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
So he is going to undergo a routine check to be sure.
The Sun (2013)
The floor routine allows her to show off her personality.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The medals went to those who performed conservative routines very precisely.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
There is also routine talk of legends.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Many have no symptoms and are only found by chance in routine examinations.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Then it was back to his interrupted voyage and the routine of life at sea.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Time away from your normal routine is invaluable.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
We need more than our regular routine.
Christianity Today (2000)
They welcome a life which offers no changes to routine.
Chaitow, Leon The Beat Fatigue Workbook - how to identify the causes (1988)
He was due for a routine medical check on the fourteenth of the month.
Len Deighton Bomber
His routine is rather different to the twentysomethings he trains with.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
These should be part of your routine.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
You have to keep going with the diet and fitness routine for life.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The food hygiene experts went to the diner after giving it five stars during their routine inspections.
The Sun (2013)
This routine procedure could be doing more harm than good.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Officers on a routine patrol spotted three males running away from the scene.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Or to grab a rest between dance routines?
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Young workers are five times more likely than older staff to want to fit exercise into their daily work routine.
The Sun (2013)
The Barber invariably suffers from stale routine in repertoire performance.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The idea of having three parents seems ripe to provoke both stand-up comedy routines and horror.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
It was a routine about a man walking on the moon and how it was hard to adjust to life after doing that.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
You feel home is the place to be, with its routines and loved ones.
The Sun (2015)
In other languages
routine
British English: routine /ruːˈtiːn/ NOUN
A routine is the usual series of things that you do at a particular time in a particular order.
...their daily routine.
American English: routine
Arabic: روتيـن
Brazilian Portuguese: rotina
Chinese: 常规
Croatian: rutina
Czech: běžný postup
Danish: rutine
Dutch: routine
European Spanish: rutina
Finnish: rutiini
French: routine
German: Routine
Greek: ρουτίνα
Italian: routine
Japanese: 決まりきった仕事
Korean: 정해진 과정
Norwegian: rutine
Polish: rutyna
European Portuguese: rotina
Romanian: rutină
Russian: обычный режим
Latin American Spanish: rutina
Swedish: rutin
Thai: กิจวัตรประจำ
Turkish: sıradan
Ukrainian: рутина
Vietnamese: hoạt động thường xuyên
British English: routine ADJECTIVE
You use routine to describe activities that are done as a normal part of a job or process.
...a series of routine medical tests.
American English: routine
Brazilian Portuguese: rotineiro
Chinese: 常规的
European Spanish: rutinario
French: de routine
German: routinemäßig
Italian: di routine
Japanese: 定期的な
Korean: 일상적인
European Portuguese: rotineiro
Latin American Spanish: de rutina
All related terms of 'routine'
co-routine
a section of a computer program similar to but differing from a subroutine in that it can be left and re-entered at any point
gym routine
A routine is a short sequence of jokes , remarks , actions, or movements that forms part of a longer performance .
daily routine
A routine is the usual series of things that you do at a particular time. A routine is also the practice of regularly doing things in a fixed order.
dance routine
A routine is a short sequence of jokes , remarks , actions, or movements that forms part of a longer performance .
floor routine
A routine is a short sequence of jokes , remarks , actions, or movements that forms part of a longer performance.
rigid routine
A routine is the usual series of things that you do at a particular time. A routine is also the practice of regularly doing things in a fixed order.
routine task
A task is an activity or piece of work which you have to do, usually as part of a larger project.
beauty routine
A routine is the usual series of things that you do at a particular time. A routine is also the practice of regularly doing things in a fixed order.
bedtime routine
A routine is the usual series of things that you do at a particular time. A routine is also the practice of regularly doing things in a fixed order.
comedy routine
A routine is a short sequence of jokes , remarks , actions, or movements that forms part of a longer performance .
escape routine
a means of leaving a computer-program sequence before its end, in order to commence another sequence
morning routine
A routine is the usual series of things that you do at a particular time. A routine is also the practice of regularly doing things in a fixed order.
normal routine
A routine is the usual series of things that you do at a particular time. A routine is also the practice of regularly doing things in a fixed order.
regular routine
A routine is the usual series of things that you do at a particular time. A routine is also the practice of regularly doing things in a fixed order.
strict routine
A routine is the usual series of things that you do at a particular time. A routine is also the practice of regularly doing things in a fixed order.
exercise routine
A routine is the usual series of things that you do at a particular time. A routine is also the practice of regularly doing things in a fixed order.
familiar routine
A routine is the usual series of things that you do at a particular time. A routine is also the practice of regularly doing things in a fixed order.
routine operation
When a patient has an operation , a surgeon cuts open their body in order to remove, replace , or repair a diseased or damaged part.
routine procedure
A procedure is a way of doing something, especially the usual or correct way.
make-up routine
A routine is the usual series of things that you do at a particular time. A routine is also the practice of regularly doing things in a fixed order.
perform a routine
A routine is a short sequence of jokes , remarks , actions, or movements that forms part of a longer performance.
routine appointment
If you have an appointment with someone, you have arranged to see them at a particular time, usually in connection with their work or for a serious purpose.
stand-up routine
A routine is a short sequence of jokes , remarks , actions, or movements that forms part of a longer performance.
warm-up routine
A routine is a short sequence of jokes , remarks , actions, or movements that forms part of a longer performance .
establish a routine
A routine is the usual series of things that you do at a particular time. A routine is also the practice of regularly doing things in a fixed order.
Chinese translation of 'routine'
routine
(ruːˈtiːn)
adj
[work, job]常规(規)的 (chángguī de)
[check, inquiries]例行的 (lìxíng de)
n
(c/u) (= procedure) 例行公事 (lìxíng gōngshì) (次, cì)
(c/u) (= drudgery) 日常琐(瑣)事 (rìcháng suǒshì)
(c) (Theat) 保留节(節)目 (bǎoliú jiémù)
1 (noun)
Definition
a usual or regular method of procedure
The players had to change their daily routine.
Synonyms
procedure
He did not follow the correct procedure in applying for a visa.
programme
the programme for reform outlined by the Soviet President
way
You'll have to get used to my mother's odd little ways.
order
The wish to impose order upon confusion is a kind of intellectual instinct.
practice
a public inquiry into bank practices
method
new teaching methods
pattern
All three attacks followed the same pattern.
formula
The new peace formula means hostilities have ended.
custom
It was his custom to approach every problem cautiously.
usage
a fruitful convergence with past usage and custom
wont
Keith woke early, as was his wont.
lockstep (US, Canadian)
2 (noun)
Definition
the boring repetition of tasks
the mundane routine of her life
Synonyms
grind (informal)
tedium
She felt she would go mad with the tedium of the job.
monotony
A night out may help break the monotony of the week.
banality
groove
boredom
He had given up attending lectures out of sheer boredom.
chore
the doldrums
dullness
the dullness of their routine life
sameness
ennui (literary)
She suffered from ennui whenever she was alone.
drabness
deadness
dreariness
tediousness
lifelessness
3 (noun)
(informal)
like a Marx Brothers routine
Synonyms
performance
She made a big performance of cooking the dinner.
sketch
a five-minute humorous sketch
turn
the most brilliant comic turn in television history
line
Don't be fooled by that line about having seen you before somewhere.
act
Numerous bands are playing, as well as comedy acts.
bit (informal)
crumpled bits of paper
piece
The equipment was taken down the shaft in pieces.
spiel (informal)
1 (adjective)
Definition
relating to or characteristic of routine
a series of routine medical tests
Synonyms
usual
She's smiling her usual, friendly smile.
standard
It was standard practice for them to advise in cases of murder.
normal
The two countries have resumed normal diplomatic relations.
The hospital claimed they were simply following their normal procedure.
customary
It is customary to offer a drink or a snack to guests.
ordinary
It was just an ordinary day for us.
familiar
They are already familiar faces on our TV screens.
typical
typical pastimes such as watching films and reading
conventional
the cost of fuel and electricity used by a conventional system
everyday
an exhilarating escape from the drudgery of everyday life
habitual
He soon recovered his habitual geniality.
workaday
an escape from the tedium of the workaday world
wonted
Opposites
different
,
special
,
unusual
,
exceptional
,
abnormal
,
irregular
2 (adjective)
So many days are routine and uninteresting.
Synonyms
boring
boring television programmes
dull
They can both be rather dull.
predictable
tedious
the tedious business of line-by-line programming
tiresome
My neighbour is petty and tiresome.
run-of-the-mill
humdrum
trapped in a humdrum but well-paid job
unimaginative
Film critics called it a monumentally unimaginative movie.
clichéd
uninspired
The script was singularly uninspired.
mind-numbing
hackneyed
That's the old hackneyed phrase, but it's true.
unoriginal
Additional synonyms
in the sense of act
Definition
a short performance, such as a sketch or dance
Numerous bands are playing, as well as comedy acts.
Synonyms
performance,
show,
turn,
production,
routine (informal),
presentation,
gig (informal),
sketch
in the sense of bit
Definition
a small piece, portion, or quantity
crumpled bits of paper
Synonyms
piece,
scrap,
small piece
in the sense of boredom
Definition
the state of being bored
He had given up attending lectures out of sheer boredom.
Synonyms
tedium,
apathy,
doldrums,
weariness,
monotony,
dullness,
sameness,
ennui (literary),
flatness,
world-weariness,
tediousness,
irksomeness
Synonyms of 'routine'
routine
Explore 'routine' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of conventional
Definition
established by accepted usage or general agreement
the cost of fuel and electricity used by a conventional system
Synonyms
ordinary,
standard,
normal,
regular,
usual,
vanilla (slang),
habitual,
bog-standard (British, Irish, slang),
common
in the sense of custom
Definition
a usual practice or habit
It was his custom to approach every problem cautiously.
Synonyms
habit,
way,
practice,
manner,
procedure,
routine,
mode,
wont,
habitude (rare)
in the sense of customary
Definition
usual
It is customary to offer a drink or a snack to guests.
Synonyms
usual,
general,
common,
accepted,
established,
traditional,
normal,
ordinary,
familiar,
acknowledged,
conventional,
routine,
everyday
in the sense of dull
Definition
not interesting
They can both be rather dull.
Synonyms
boring,
tedious,
dreary,
flat,
dry,
plain,
commonplace,
tiresome,
monotonous,
prosaic,
run-of-the-mill,
humdrum,
unimaginative,
dozy,
uninteresting,
mind-numbing,
ho-hum (informal),
vapid,
as dry as dust
in the sense of dullness
the dullness of their routine life
Synonyms
tediousness,
monotony,
banality,
flatness,
dreariness,
vapidity,
insipidity
in the sense of ennui
Definition
boredom and dissatisfaction resulting from lack of activity or excitement
She suffered from ennui whenever she was alone.
Synonyms
boredom,
dissatisfaction,
tiredness,
the doldrums,
lethargy,
tedium,
lassitude,
listlessness
in the sense of everyday
Definition
suitable for or used on ordinary days
an exhilarating escape from the drudgery of everyday life
Synonyms
ordinary,
common,
usual,
familiar,
conventional,
routine,
dull,
stock,
accustomed,
customary,
commonplace,
mundane,
vanilla (slang),
banal,
habitual,
run-of-the-mill,
unimaginative,
workaday,
unexceptional,
bog-standard (British, Irish, slang),
common or garden (informal),
dime-a-dozen (informal),
wonted
in the sense of familiar
Definition
frequent or common
They are already familiar faces on our TV screens.
Synonyms
well-known,
household,
everyday,
recognized,
common,
stock,
domestic,
repeated,
ordinary,
conventional,
routine,
frequent,
accustomed,
customary,
mundane,
recognizable,
common or garden (informal)
in the sense of formula
Definition
a plan or set of rules for doing or producing something
The new peace formula means hostilities have ended.
Synonyms
method,
plan,
policy,
rule,
principle,
procedure,
recipe,
prescription,
blueprint,
precept,
modus operandi,
way
in the sense of habitual
Definition
done regularly and repeatedly
He soon recovered his habitual geniality.
Synonyms
customary,
normal,
usual,
common,
standard,
natural,
traditional,
fixed,
regular,
ordinary,
familiar,
routine,
accustomed,
wonted
Additional synonyms
in the sense of hackneyed
Definition
(of a word or phrase) unoriginal and overused
That's the old hackneyed phrase, but it's true.
Synonyms
clichéd,
stock,
tired,
common,
stereotyped,
pedestrian,
played out (informal),
commonplace,
worn-out,
stale,
overworked,
banal,
run-of-the-mill,
threadbare,
trite,
unoriginal,
timeworn
in the sense of humdrum
Definition
ordinary, dull, and uninteresting
trapped in a humdrum but well-paid job
Synonyms
dull,
ordinary,
boring,
routine,
commonplace,
mundane,
tedious,
dreary,
banal,
tiresome,
monotonous,
uneventful,
uninteresting,
mind-numbing,
ho-hum (informal),
repetitious,
wearisome,
unvaried
in the sense of line
Don't be fooled by that line about having seen you before somewhere.
Synonyms
patter,
story,
pitch,
spiel (informal)
in the sense of method
Definition
a way of doing something, esp. a systematic or regular one
new teaching methods
Synonyms
manner,
process,
approach,
technique,
way,
plan,
course,
system,
form,
rule,
programme,
style,
practice,
fashion,
scheme,
arrangement,
procedure,
routine,
mode,
modus operandi
in the sense of monotony
Definition
wearisome routine
A night out may help break the monotony of the week.
Synonyms
tedium,
routine,
boredom,
dullness,
sameness,
uniformity,
flatness,
repetitiveness,
tediousness,
repetitiousness,
colourlessness,
tiresomeness
in the sense of normal
Definition
usual, regular, or typical
The two countries have resumed normal diplomatic relations.The hospital claimed they were simply following their normal procedure.
Synonyms
usual,
common,
standard,
average,
natural,
regular,
ordinary,
acknowledged,
typical,
conventional,
routine,
accustomed,
habitual,
run-of-the-mill
in the sense of order
Definition
a state in which everything is arranged logically, comprehensibly, or naturally
The wish to impose order upon confusion is a kind of intellectual instinct.
Synonyms
organization,
system,
method,
plan,
pattern,
arrangement,
harmony,
symmetry,
regularity,
propriety,
neatness,
tidiness,
orderliness
in the sense of ordinary
Definition
usual or normal
It was just an ordinary day for us.
Synonyms
usual,
standard,
normal,
common,
established,
settled,
regular,
familiar,
household,
typical,
conventional,
routine,
stock,
everyday,
prevailing,
accustomed,
customary,
habitual,
quotidian,
wonted
in the sense of pattern
Definition
a regular recognizable way that something is done
All three attacks followed the same pattern.
Synonyms
order,
plan,
system,
method,
arrangement,
sequence,
orderliness
in the sense of piece
Definition
a separate bit or part
The equipment was taken down the shaft in pieces.
Synonyms
component,
part,
section,
bit,
unit,
segment,
constituent,
module
Additional synonyms
in the sense of practice
Definition
something done regularly or repeatedly
a public inquiry into bank practices
Synonyms
custom,
use,
way,
system,
rule,
method,
tradition,
habit,
routine,
mode,
usage,
wont,
praxis,
usual procedure,
tikanga (New Zealand)
in the sense of programme
the programme for reform outlined by the Soviet President
Synonyms
plan,
scheme,
strategy,
procedure,
project,
plan of action
in the sense of sketch
Definition
a short funny piece of acting forming part of a show
a five-minute humorous sketch
Synonyms
skit,
piece,
scene,
turn,
act,
performance,
item,
routine (informal),
number
in the sense of standard
Definition
of a usual, medium, or accepted kind
It was standard practice for them to advise in cases of murder.
Synonyms
usual,
normal,
customary,
set,
stock,
average,
popular,
basic,
regular,
typical,
prevailing,
orthodox,
staple,
one-size-fits-all
in the sense of tedious
Definition
boring and uninteresting
the tedious business of line-by-line programming
Synonyms
boring,
dull,
dreary,
monotonous,
tiring,
annoying,
fatiguing,
drab,
banal,
tiresome,
lifeless,
prosaic,
laborious,
humdrum,
uninteresting,
long-drawn-out,
mind-numbing,
irksome,
unexciting,
soporific,
ho-hum (informal),
vapid,
wearisome,
deadly dull,
prosy,
dreich (Scottish)
in the sense of tedium
Definition
the state of being bored or the quality of being boring
She felt she would go mad with the tedium of the job.
Synonyms
boredom,
monotony,
dullness,
routine,
the doldrums,
banality,
sameness,
ennui (literary),
drabness,
deadness,
dreariness,
tediousness,
lifelessness
in the sense of tiresome
Definition
boring and irritating
My neighbour is petty and tiresome.
Synonyms
boring,
annoying,
irritating,
trying,
wearing,
dull,
tedious,
exasperating,
monotonous,
laborious,
uninteresting,
irksome,
wearisome,
vexatious
in the sense of turn
Definition
a short theatrical act
the most brilliant comic turn in television history
Synonyms
act,
show,
performance,
piece,
routine (informal),
number
in the sense of typical
Definition
being or serving as a representative example of a particular type
typical pastimes such as watching films and reading
Synonyms
archetypal,
standard,
model,
normal,
classic,
stock,
essential,
representative,
usual,
conventional,
regular,
characteristic,
orthodox,
signature,
indicative,
illustrative,
archetypical,
stereotypical
in the sense of unimaginative
Definition
not having or showing much imagination
Film critics called it a monumentally unimaginative movie.
Synonyms
unoriginal,
banal,
uninspired,
usual,
ordinary,
routine,
dull,
predictable,
tame,
pedestrian,
derivative,
commonplace,
vanilla (informal),
lifeless,
prosaic,
hackneyed,
unromantic,
uncreative
Additional synonyms
in the sense of uninspired
Definition
not particularly good or exciting
The script was singularly uninspired.
Synonyms
unexciting,
banal,
unimaginative,
stock,
ordinary,
dull,
indifferent,
commonplace,
vanilla (informal),
stale,
prosaic,
uninspiring,
humdrum,
uninteresting,
unoriginal
in the sense of usage
a fruitful convergence with past usage and custom
Synonyms
practice,
method,
procedure,
form,
rule,
tradition,
habit,
regime,
custom,
routine,
convention,
mode,
matter of course,
wont
in the sense of way
Definition
habits or customs
You'll have to get used to my mother's odd little ways.