garden-variety

adjective

gar·​den-va·​ri·​e·​ty ˈgär-dᵊn-və-ˈrī-ə-tē How to pronounce garden-variety (audio)

Examples of garden-variety in a Sentence

the once-powerful hurricane eventually abated into just a garden-variety tropical storm the bakery's extravagant creations are not your garden-variety wedding cakes
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
At times, this approaches the tone of your garden-variety L.A. surfer bro, spouting anecdotes about the benefits of ayahuasca. Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 24 Oct. 2024 These aren’t your mother’s (or grandmother’s) garden-variety rose notes. Kara Nesvig, Allure, 17 Oct. 2024 In many respects, of course, Cohen was a garden-variety rock celebrity. Stephen Metcalf, The Atlantic, 17 Sep. 2024 The good news: So far, this is a garden-variety correction, with the S & P 500 down roughly 10% from its all-time high at Monday’s low of the session. Bob Pisani, CNBC, 8 Aug. 2024 Admittedly, that can be tricky, since BCC tumors vary in appearance, and often resemble a bunch of garden-variety skin problems, particularly early on. Amy Norton, SELF, 19 July 2024 Disillusioned With the Crown Some of the problems simmering inside Miss USA were garden-variety for a tightknit professional community: There was interpersonal conflict, dysfunction and disappointment with a new leader who suddenly seemed to turn everything upside down. Callie Holtermann, New York Times, 13 June 2024 The sumo-sized rabbit was not, however, as quick on its feet as your garden-variety bunny. David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 6 June 2024 Called pre-existing condition insurance plans, the insurance resembled a garden-variety Blue Cross plan, and the premium was the same premium a healthy person would pay for such insurance. John C. Goodman, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1928, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of garden-variety was in 1928

Dictionary Entries Near garden-variety

Cite this Entry

“Garden-variety.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/garden-variety. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

garden-variety

adjective
: ordinary entry 2 sense 2, commonplace
not the flu, just a garden-variety cold
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!