custom
- 01 B1 Intermediate
n.a way of behaving or a belief that has been established for a long time in a group of people.
n.a traditional and widely accepted way of behaving or doing something that is specific to a particular society, place, or time.
Simple“It is a local custom to exchange small gifts during the spring festival.”
In context“The anthropologist spent three years documenting the unique burial customs of the mountain tribes before their oral traditions were lost to modernization.”
Synonyms - 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.the support or regular business given to a shop or company by its customers.
n.the regular patronage or support provided to a commercial establishment by its clientele.
Simple“The small bakery relies on the custom of the people living in the village.”
In context“The shopkeeper feared that the opening of a large supermarket nearby would draw away the loyal custom he had cultivated over decades.”
- 03 B1 Intermediate
adj.made specially for one person rather than being a standard item from a shop.
adj.made or done to order for a particular customer; specifically designed to meet individual requirements.
Simple“He ordered a custom suit for his wedding so that it would fit him perfectly.”
In context“The software firm provides custom solutions for logistics companies that find off-the-shelf applications inadequate for their specific operational needs.”
SynonymsAntonyms - 04 C1 Advanced
n.a long-established practice that is treated as a law.
n.a usage or practice of the people which, by common adoption and long unvarying habit, has become compulsory and has acquired the force of law.
Simple“In some regions, the right to use the path is based on ancient custom rather than written law.”
In context“The court ruled that the local custom of grazing cattle on the common land had been established for long enough to constitute a legal right.”
custom vs costume — Custom is a repeated social practice; costume is a specific style of clothing.
PIE word *ḱóm PIE word *swé From Middle English custume, borrowed from Anglo-Norman custume, inherited from Latin consuētūdinem, a noun derived from cōnsuēscō, from con- (“with”) + suēscō (“become used or accustomed to”). Doublet of costume, consuetude, and kastom. The adjectival form first appears c. 1830.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.