regular army: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal / Technical (military); Metaphorical: neutral to formal
Quick answer
What does “regular army” mean?
The permanent, professional standing army of a country, as opposed to conscripts, reserves, militias, or irregular forces.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The permanent, professional standing army of a country, as opposed to conscripts, reserves, militias, or irregular forces.
Any organized, professional group characterized by strict rules, hierarchy, and disciplined membership, often used metaphorically.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both UK and US use the term identically in military contexts. Metaphorical use is slightly more common in American English.
Connotations
Neutral to positive when referring to professionalism and reliability; can carry negative connotations of rigid bureaucracy when used metaphorically.
Frequency
Comparable frequency in both varieties within military and historical discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “regular army” in a Sentence
[Country]'s regular armythe regular army of [Country]a member of the regular armyVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “regular army” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He was regularised into the army after years in the reserves.
American English
- He was integrated into the regular army after his National Guard service.
adjective
British English
- He held a regular army commission.
American English
- She is a regular army officer, not a reservist.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Metaphorically: 'The sales team operated with the discipline of a regular army.'
Academic
Used in historical and political science texts discussing military structures and state power.
Everyday
Rare in casual conversation unless discussing military service or historical topics.
Technical
Standard term in military doctrine, history, and political science for the permanent component of a nation's armed forces.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “regular army”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “regular army”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “regular army”
- Using 'regular army' to mean 'normal army' (as in 'not special forces'). Incorrect: *'The special forces are more elite than the regular army.'* (Better: '...than the rest of the army' or 'conventional forces').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Very similar. 'Active duty' describes the status of serving full-time. 'Regular army' is the institutional body comprised of those active-duty personnel (and its structure), as opposed to reserve components.
Yes, it is a generic term applicable to any nation's permanent professional military force, e.g., 'the Indian regular army,' 'the French regular army.'
In military terms, the clearest antonym is 'irregular forces' (guerrillas, partisans). It is also contrasted with 'reserve forces' or 'militia.'
When used metaphorically (e.g., 'a regular army of bureaucrats'), it can imply inflexibility, blind obedience to hierarchy, and a lack of individual initiative, drawing on stereotypes of military rigidity.
The permanent, professional standing army of a country, as opposed to conscripts, reserves, militias, or irregular forces.
Regular army is usually formal / technical (military); metaphorical: neutral to formal in register.
Regular army: in British English it is pronounced /ˈrɛɡjələr ˈɑːmi/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈrɛɡjələr ˈɑːrmi/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “He runs his department like a regular army. (metaphorical: with strict discipline)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
REGULAR ARMY: Think of a soldier who shows up for duty every day, REGULARly. It's their regular job, not just for emergencies.
Conceptual Metaphor
ORGANIZATION IS AN ARMY ('a regular army of volunteers'), DISCIPLINE IS MILITARY TRAINING.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary characteristic that distinguishes a 'regular army' from other military forces?