What term describes something that is ordinary or commonplace?

The term "mundane" accurately describes something that is ordinary or commonplace. In everyday usage, mundane refers to the aspects of life that are routine, unexciting, or lacking in special interest or significance. This word captures the essence of the typical, the habitual, and the unremarkable, suggesting a sense of normalcy or banality in various experiences or objects.

The other choices suggest different meanings that do not align with the concept of being ordinary. "Novel," for instance, denotes something new, original, or unprecedented, contrasting sharply with the idea of being commonplace. "Paradox" refers to a statement that seems contradictory or absurd but may reveal an underlying truth, which also does not pertain to the ordinary. "Patent" relates to something that is made evident or clear, or to a legal right to an invention, thus lacking the context of the mundane nature that the question asks about.