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What is the difference between habit and custom?

habit | custom | Synonyms |

Custom is a synonym of habit.



As nouns the difference between habit and custom

is that habit is an action done on a regular basis while custom is frequent repetition of the same behavior; way of behavior common to many; ordinary manner; habitual practice; usage; method of doing, living or behaving.

As verbs the difference between habit and custom

is that habit is to clothe while custom is to make familiar; to accustom.

As an adjective custom is

made in a different way from usual, specially to fit one's needs.

habit

English

Etymology 1

From (etyl), from (etyl) ; see have.

Noun

(en noun)
  • An action done on a regular basis.
  • * Washington Irving
  • a man of very shy, retired habits
  • * {{quote-magazine, date=2013-07-19, author= Ian Sample
  • , volume=189, issue=6, page=34, magazine=(The Guardian Weekly) , title= Irregular bedtimes may affect children's brains , passage=Irregular bedtimes may disrupt healthy brain development in young children, according to a study of intelligence and sleeping habits .  ¶ Going to bed at a different time each night affected girls more than boys, but both fared worse on mental tasks than children who had a set bedtime, researchers found.}}
  • An action performed repeatedly and automatically, usually without awareness.
  • A long piece of clothing worn by monks and nuns.
  • A piece of clothing worn uniformly for a specific activity.
  • (archaic) Outward appearance; attire; dress.
  • * Shakespeare
  • Costly thy habit as thy purse can buy.
  • * Addison
  • There are, among the statues, several of Venus, in different habits .
  • * 1719 , (Daniel Defoe), (Robinson Crusoe)
  • it was always my fate to choose for the worse, so I did here; for having money in my pocket and good clothes upon my back, I would always go on board in the habit of a gentleman; and so I neither had any business in the ship, or learned to do any.
  • (botany) form of growth or general appearance of a variety or species of plant, e.g. erect, prostrate, bushy.
  • An addiction.
  • Synonyms
    * (l)

    Etymology 2

    From (etyl) habiten, from (etyl) habiter, from (etyl) ; see have.

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To clothe.
  • (archaic) To inhabit.
  • custom

    English

    (Webster 1913)

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • Frequent repetition of the same behavior; way of behavior common to many; ordinary manner; habitual practice; usage; method of doing, living or behaving.
  • :* And teach customs which are not lawful. Acts xvi. 21 .
  • :* Moved beyond his custom , Gama said. .
  • :* A custom More honored in the breach than the observance. Shakespeare
  • Habitual buying of goods; practice of frequenting, as a shop, manufactory, etc., for making purchases or giving orders; business support.
  • * Let him have your custom , but not your votes. - .
  • (legal) Long-established practice, considered as unwritten law, and resting for authority on long consent; usage. See Usage, and Prescription.
  • * Usage is a fact. Custom' is a law. There can be no '''custom''' without usage, though there may be usage without '''custom . ''Wharton .
  • (obsolete) Familiar acquaintance; familiarity.
  • * Age can not wither her, nor custom stale Her infinite variety. Shakespeare
  • The customary toll, tax, or tribute.
  • * Render, therefore, to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom' to whom '''custom . ''Rom. xiii. 7 .
  • Created under particular specifications, specialized, unique, custom-made
  • Synonyms

    * fashion * habit * wone * practice * usage * wont * See also:

    Derived terms

    * custom made

    Adjective

    (-)
  • made in a different way from usual, specially to fit one's needs
  • My feet are as big as powerboats, so I need custom shoes.

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • (obsolete) To make familiar; to accustom.
  • (Gray)
  • (obsolete) To supply with customers.
  • (Francis Bacon)
  • (obsolete) To pay the customs of.
  • (obsolete) To have a custom.
  • :* On a bridge he custometh to fight. .