custom
cus·tom [custom customs] noun, adjective BrE [ˈkʌstəm] NAmE [ˈkʌstəm]
noun
see also ↑customs
1. countable, uncountable ~ (of doing sth) an accepted way of behaving or of doing things in a society or a community
•an old/ancient custom
•the custom of giving presents at Christmas
• It's a local custom.
•It is the custom in that country for women to marry young.
2. singular (formal or literary)the way a person always behaves
Syn: ↑habit, Syn: ↑practice
•It was her custom to rise early.
•As was his custom, he knocked three times.
3. uncountable (BrE, formal) (also business NAmE, BrE)the fact of a person or people buying goods or services at a shop/store or business
•Thank you for your custom. Please call again.
•We've lost a lot of custom since prices went up.
Word Origin:
Middle English: from Old French coustume, based on Latin consuetudo, from consuetus, past participle of consuescere ‘accustom’, from con- (expressing intensive force) + suescere ‘become accustomed’.
Thesaurus:
custom noun C, U
•It is the custom here to put flowers on the graves at Easter.
convention • • tradition • • practice •
by custom/convention/tradition
a custom/convention/tradition that…
a local/British custom/tradition/practice
Example Bank:
•The custom died out in the 19th century.
•The rules have grown up through custom and are not laid down by law.
•These customs still prevail in remote areas.
•They poured wine around the trees in accordance with local custom.
•They still follow the custom of pinning money to the bride's dress.
•He then repeated the question, as his custom was.
•It is the custom here to put flowers on the graves at Easter.
•The custom of using Latin for legal records came to an end.
•They were seated, as was their custom, in the summer house.
•They were unfamiliar with local customs and culture.
•When I reply to debates, it is my custom to have heard all the speeches.
adjective only before noun (especially NAmE) = ↑custom-built, ↑custom-made
•a custom motorcycle
Word Origin:
Middle English: from Old French coustume, based on Latin consuetudo, from consuetus, past participle of consuescere ‘accustom’, from con- (expressing intensive force) + suescere ‘become accustomed’.
See also: ↑business
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