custom

[ kuhs-tuhm ]

noun

1. a habitual practice; the usual way of acting in given circumstances.
2. habits or usages collectively; convention.
3. a practice so long established that it has the force of law.
4. such practices collectively.
5. Sociology. a group pattern of habitual activity usually transmitted from one generation to another.
6. toll; duty.
7. customs,
   1. (used with a singular or plural verb) duties imposed by law on imported or, less commonly, exported goods.
   2. (used with a singular verb) the government department that collects these duties.
   3. (used with a singular verb) the section of an airport, station, etc., where baggage is checked for contraband and for goods subject to duty.
8. regular patronage of a particular shop, restaurant, etc.
9. the customers or patrons of a business firm, collectively.
10. the aggregate of customers.
11. (in medieval Europe) a customary tax, tribute, or service owed by peasants to their lord.

adjective

1. made specially for individual customers:

   custom shoes.

2. dealing in things so made, or doing work to order:

   a custom tailor.

custom

/ ˈkʌstəm /

noun

1. a usual or habitual practice; typical mode of behaviour
2. the long-established habits or traditions of a society collectively; convention

   custom dictates good manners

3. 1. a practice which by long-established usage has come to have the force of law
   2. such practices collectively (esp in the phrase custom and practice )
4. habitual patronage, esp of a shop or business
5. the customers of a shop or business collectively
6. (in feudal Europe) a tribute paid by a vassal to his lord

adjective

1. made to the specifications of an individual customer (often in the combinations custom-built , custom-made )
2. specializing in goods so made

Word History and Origins

Origin of custom¹

First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English custume, from Anglo-French; Old French costume, from Vulgar Latin co(n)s(uē)tūmin- (unrecorded), replacing Latin consuētūdin-, stem of consuētūdō “habit, practice, tradition,” from consuē(tus) “accustomed” (past participle of consuēscere “to accustom onself,” from con- con- + suēscere “to become accustomed,” akin to suus “one's own”) + -tūdō -tude; costume

Word History and Origins

Origin of custom¹

C12: from Old French costume, from Latin consuētūdō, from consuēscere to grow accustomed to, from suēscere to be used to

Synonym Study

Custom, habit, practice mean an established way of doing things. Custom, applied to a community or to an individual, implies a more or less permanent continuance of a social usage: It is the custom to give gifts at Christmas time. Habit, applied particularly to an individual, implies such repetition of the same action as to develop a natural, spontaneous, or rooted tendency or inclination to perform it: to make a habit of reading the newspapers. Practice applies to a set of fixed habits or an ordered procedure in conducting activities: It is his practice to verify all statements.

Example Sentences

But following talks with the UK, the Bulgarians have changed their customs regulations to say that only certain Turkish companies are licensed to export boats.

From BBC

It is a landscape that inspires a rich poetic tradition, a forge that shapes cherished traditions and customs, and even a welcome refuge from troubling events beyond.

From Salon

It featured a styling suite, where Marquez styled special guests and athletes in the new collection, along with custom pieces she made in collaboration with Sailor D. Gonzales and Rusty Reconstructed.

From Los Angeles Times

“Am I the bad one?” yelps the singer and percussionist Ollie Judge, embodying a morally dubious character who is only just beginning to question the customs of his culture.

From New York Times

Instead, it said it will continue to look into paid services, such as having people pay for custom domains in their username.

From BBC

Related Words

• method
• policy
• practice
• rite
• rule
• style
• system

More About Custom

What does custom mean?

As a noun, custom means a longstanding practice of a person (such as a daily habit) or a group (such as a cultural practice).

As an adjective, custom describes something made to unique specifications, especially something one of a kind. Its synonym is custom-made.

The word customs with an s refers to fees paid on imported goods, or the government department that handles such things. It is also the name of the checkpoint in the airport where incoming luggage and goods are inspected for prohibited items.

Example: When I travel abroad, it’s my custom to bring home a custom-made souvenir that highlights the artistic customs of the people who live in that place. The items are usually very unique, which often leads to a lot of questions when I go through customs at the airport!

Where does custom come from?

Custom has been in use in English since at least 1200. It comes from the Middle English custume, from the Old French costume, tracing all the way back to the Latin consuēscere, which means “to grow accustomed to” and comes from the Latin suēscere, “to be used to.”

Sociologists tend to think of customs as cultural habits that are passed down from generation to generation. A similar word is tradition. For Americans, a common Thanksgiving custom is having a large dinner, especially turkey. Customs vary from place to place based on the culture, and the word is often used in phrases like local custom and national custom. Customs can also be personal, such as getting a coffee on the way to work every day, or eating at the same restaurant every Friday. Relatedly, the word customer is based on the same root, and the regular customers of a business are sometimes referred to collectively as its custom (though this usage is uncommon).

Custom as an adjective means that something was made or prepared especially for you. A trendy way of saying this is bespoke.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to custom?

• customs (noun)

What are some synonyms for custom?

• practice
• habit
• custom-made
• bespoke

What are some words that share a root or word element with custom? 

 

• customary
• accustomed
• customer
• costume

 

What are some words that often get used in discussing custom?

• tradition
• established
• culture
• national
• local
• personal
• rule
• goods

 

How is custom used in real life?

Custom as a noun is often used in discussion of the things that people do over and over again, typically because they enjoy them. As an adjective, it refers to something made to order.

Always learn the local customs of the places you visit and respect them in order to leave a positive impression! pic.twitter.com/cIEBE3MuEM

— Travelers Initiative (@HumanTravels) May 31, 2016

Keanu Reeves with his custom-made bass guitar pic.twitter.com/roGp1pYe0O

— Eric Alper 🎧 (@ThatEricAlper) March 5, 2020

you know it's good to be home when you tell the guy at customs "thank you, I love you."

— Ariana Grande (@ArianaGrande) October 26, 2015

 

 

Try using custom!

Is custom used correctly in the following sentence?

It’s my custom to sit down each night before bed and read a chapter of a book.