# habit

/ˈhæbət/ (US) · /hˈæbɪt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/habit
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. regular behaviour

noun · CEFR A2

something that you do often and regularly, sometimes without even thinking about it.

For teachers: a settled or regular tendency or practice, especially one that is hard to give up.

- He has a habit of drinking a glass of water as soon as he wakes up.
- Developing the habit of critical reflection allows professionals to identify systemic flaws in their workflow before they lead to significant errors.

Usage: often used with the preposition 'of' followed by a gerund.

### 2. an addiction

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

a strong need to keep doing something, usually something harmful like smoking.

For teachers: an addictive dependency on a substance or activity.

- It took him several months to finally kick his smoking habit.
- The clinic provides comprehensive support for individuals struggling to break a long-term drug habit through both therapy and medication.

Usage: frequently appears in the phrase 'kick the habit'.

### 3. religious clothing

noun · CEFR B2

the long, traditional clothing worn by monks or nuns.

For teachers: the distinctive costume or vestment of a particular religious order.

- The nun wore a traditional black habit and a white veil.
- The museum's textile collection includes a sixteenth-century Franciscan habit, remarkably preserved despite the fragility of the coarse woollen fabric.

### 4. growth pattern

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

the natural way that a plant or crystal grows and takes shape.

For teachers: the characteristic mode of growth or general appearance of a plant or mineral.

- This specific type of ivy has a climbing habit that covers walls quickly.
- When selecting trees for urban spaces, architects must consider the mature growth habit to ensure the canopy does not interfere with overhead power lines.

## Examples

- I have a habit of drinking tea every morning.
- Breaking the habit of checking your phone immediately after waking up can improve your focus during the day.
- 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.

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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.