# customary

/ˈkəstəˌmɛɹi/ (US) · /kˈʌstəməɹi/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/customary
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. usual or traditional

adjective · CEFR B2

describes something that people usually do in a particular society or situation.

For teachers: conforming to or established by long-standing custom or social convention.

- It is customary to tip the waiter about fifteen percent in this country.
- In many Mediterranean cultures, it remains customary to close shops during the hottest hours of the afternoon for a communal rest period.

Usage: Often used in the pattern 'it is customary to [verb]' or 'it is customary for [someone] to'.

### 2. legal/habitual rights

adjective · CEFR C1 · Formal · Technical

describes a rule or right that exists because it has been followed for a very long time.

For teachers: pertaining to or held by custom, especially in a legal context where long-term practice creates a binding obligation.

- The villagers argued they had a customary right to use the path through the woods.
- The court had to determine whether the local fishing practices constituted a customary right that predated modern maritime legislation.

Teaching tip: In legal contexts, this is often contrasted with 'statutory' (written law).

### 3. a book of customs

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Technical

an old book that lists the laws and traditions of a specific place.

For teachers: a written collection or record of the customs and laws of a manor, guild, or city.

- The historian studied the medieval customary to understand how the town was governed.
- The fourteenth-century customary provides invaluable insights into the agricultural obligations and social hierarchies of the feudal estate.

Teaching tip: This noun sense is extremely rare and mostly found in historical or legal research.

## Examples

- It is customary to tip the waiter.
- In many cultures, it is customary to remove your shoes before entering a home.
- While the law allowed the practice, it was customary for the committee to review all applications before making a final decision.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.