ENGLISH
REFERENCE

habit

n. C / U
A2 Elementary Oxford US //ˈhæbət// UK //hˈæbɪt// habit Archaic General-service

n. something you do often and almost without thinking. You usually develop these over time by repeating the same action.

n. a settled or regular tendency or practice, especially one that is hard to give up. Often used to describe subconscious or automatic behavioral patterns.


SIMPLE

I have a habit of drinking tea every morning.

CONTEXTUAL

Breaking the habit of checking your phone immediately after waking up can improve your focus during the day.

COMPLEX

While some routines are consciously established to improve productivity, many habits form through a subtle cycle of cue, action, and reward that eventually bypasses the need for active decision-making.

Synonyms
Etymology 1

From Middle English habit, from Latin habitus (“condition, bearing, state, appearance, dress, attire”), from habeō (“to have, hold, keep”). Distantly related to gift. Replaced Middle English abit, from Old French abit, itself from the same Latin source. Displaced native Old English þēaw.

Etymology 2

From Middle English habiten, from Old French habiter, from Latin habitāre (“to dwell, abide, keep”), frequentative of habeō (“to have, hold, keep”); see have.

Usage

Countable when referring to specific behaviors; uncountable when referring to the general concept of habitual behavior.

Pitfall

I am in the habit to swimI am in the habit of swimmingThe phrase 'in the habit of' requires a gerund (-ing form), not an infinitive.

Idioms3 entries

© 2026 English Reference