Ordinarios

Ordinarios is the plural form of ordinario in Spanish and Portuguese; in Italian the equivalent plural is ordinari. The root is Latin ordinarius, from ordo “order.” In everyday language, ordinario describes things considered normal, typical, or routine, and is used in phrases like gastos ordinarios (ordinary operating costs), ingresos ordinarios (ordinary income), or una persona ordinaria (an ordinary person). It contrasts with extraordinario, extraordinarios, meaning extraordinary or unusual.

In Catholic canon law, ordinario refers to a prelate or other church authority who exercises ordinary jurisdiction in a defined territory or over a specific group. The plural ordinarios denotes multiple such authorities, such as a diocesan bishop or an archbishop when acting with ordinary jurisdiction, as distinct from delegated or titular authority. The Ordinary is responsible for pastoral care, governance, and doctrinal oversight within the jurisdiction.

In other contexts, ordinarios also appears in civil administration and economics to label routine, non-extraordinary items, accounts, or expenses. The term is used across Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking regions, as well as in Italian, with minor regional nuances but generally meaning standard or regular.