What word describes something that is common and not unusual?

The term that describes something as common and not unusual is "mundane." This word originates from the Latin root "mundus," which means "world" or "earth," and is often used to convey the sense of ordinary, everyday life. When we refer to something as mundane, we imply that it lacks excitement or uniqueness, aligning perfectly with the idea of it being a common occurrence.

In contrast, the other options describe qualities that deviate from the ordinary: "rare" refers to something that is infrequent or not commonly found; "special" connotes uniqueness or distinction; and "remarkable" indicates something deserving attention or notable due to its uniqueness. Therefore, the choice of "mundane" accurately conveys the intended meaning of something that is typical or commonplace.