A custom is an activity, a way of behaving, or an event which is usual or traditional in a particular society or in particular circumstances.
The custom of lighting the famous flame goes back centuries. [+ of]
Chung has tried to adapt to local customs.
Synonyms: tradition, practice, convention, ritual More Synonyms of custom
2. singular noun [oft with poss]
If it is your customto do something, you usually do it in particular circumstances.
It was his custom to approach every problem cautiously.
As is the custom, police forensic experts carried out a painstaking search of thedebris.
Synonyms: habit, way, practice, manner More Synonyms of custom
3. uncountable noun [usually with poss]
If a shop has your custom, you regularly buy things there.
[British, formal]
You have the right to withhold your custom if you so wish.
Providing discounts is not the only way to win custom.
Synonyms: customers, business, trade, patronage More Synonyms of custom
4. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
If you use custom to describe something such as a vehicle or a piece of clothing, you mean that it has been designed for one particular customer.
Her one-of -a-kind custom garments are priced from one hundred dollars.
5. See also customs
custom in British English
(ˈkʌstəm)
noun
1.
a usual or habitual practice; typical mode of behaviour
2.
the long-established habits or traditions of a society collectively; convention
custom dictates good manners
3.
a.
a practice which by long-established usage has come to have the force of law
b.
such practices collectively (esp in the phrase custom and practice)
4.
habitual patronage, esp of a shop or business
5.
the customers of a shop or business collectively
6.
(in feudal Europe) a tribute paid by a vassal to his lord
adjective
7.
made to the specifications of an individual customer (often in the combinations custom-built, custom-made)
8.
specializing in goods so made
Word origin
C12: from Old French costume, from Latin consuētūdō, from consuēscere to grow accustomed to, from suēscere to be used to
custom in American English
(ˈkʌstəm)
noun
1.
a usual practice or habitual way of behaving; habit
2.
a.
a social convention carried on by tradition and enforced by social disapproval of any violation
b.
such practices, collectively
3.
under feudalism, a service, rent, etc. regularly paid to a lord
4. [pl.]
a.
duties or taxes imposed by a government on imported and, occasionally, exported goods
b. [with sing. v.]
the government agency in charge of collecting these duties, or any of its offices
5.
a.
the regular support or patronage of a business establishment
b.
customers as a group
6. Law
such usage as by common consent and long-established, uniform practice has taken on the force of law
adjective
7.
made or done to order or, sometimes, made extra fine, as if to order
8.
making things to order, or dealing in things made to order
a custom tailor
SIMILAR WORDS: ˈhabit
Word origin
ME < OFr costume < L consuetudo < consuescere, to accustom < com-, intens. + suescere, to become accustomed < suere, to be accustomed, akin to suus, one's own: for IE base see suicide
custom in Retail1
(kʌstəm)
noun
(Retail: Service)
If you give a store or business your custom, you buy from them.
Shoppers are extremely loyal to their regular newspaper and you risk losing theircustom for good if it is not available.
He said he was dissatisfied with the service and would be taking his custom elsewhere.
If you give a store or business your custom, you buy from them.
custom in Retail2
(kʌstəm)
noun
(Retail: Service)
A store or business's custom is all its customers.
Custom has fallen off over the years as people move to the suburbs.
Creating a pedestrian area will generate more custom for the stores and restaurants in the street.
A store or business's custom is all its customers.
Examples of 'custom' in a sentence
custom
One of its advertised uses is making custom grips.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
She dutifully took a seat toward the rear as law and custom required.
Garraty, John Arthur The American Nation: A History of the United States to 1877 (1995)
French police yesterday said customs have the right to board boats they are suspicious of.
The Sun (2009)
Businesses pay customs officers to get their goods through smoothly.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
We can make plans to leave the customs union as soon as we can.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
He has vowed to win back custom by cutting food prices and withdrawing from overseas.
The Sun (2014)
There is always the risk that useful administrative procedure becomes immutable custom and practice.
Torrington, Derek Personnel Management: A New Approach (1991)
Shops need to claw back lost custom from the warm autumn so will offer huge festive discounts.
The Sun (2014)
Why not tell shoppers they must bring their own bags or take their custom elsewhere?
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Knowledge of local customs and culture is essential.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
It was outside the walls of custom and law.
Diane Purkiss The English Civil War: A People's History (2006)
Norway does not take part in the common agricultural or fisheries policies or the customs union.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It was at one time considered to be custom and practice.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
They are not obliged to take your custom and very few courier firms accept letters.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
The broadcaster attacked customs officials and police who seemingly stood on the quayside watching without intervening to help.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
So if your business looks like it is going places you are more likely to win their custom.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
If that fails, take your custom elsewhere.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Humans are not designed for a single daily sleep, as is the usual current custom.
The Times Literary Supplement (2014)
It is one of three Hindu customs used to greet temple visitors.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Thus does the programme lightly ignore robust naming customs, stretching back across the decades.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
It was during his work for that diploma that he first came across the psychiatric customs and conventions of which he is now so critical.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The report said this meant Customs had been left with little idea of what was happening outside those major bases.
The Sun (2008)
He also announced that there must be reforms in the ways in which customs duties were collected and evaded in America.
Hibbert, Christopher Red Coats and Rebels - the war for America 1770-1781 (1990)
So show'em, by taking your custom elsewhere.
The Sun (2010)
Quotations
Custom reconciles us to everythingEdmund BurkeThe Origin of our Ideas of the Sublime and Beautiful
a custom More honoured in the breach than the observanceWilliam ShakespeareHamlet
In other languages
custom
British English: custom /ˈkʌstəm/ NOUN
A custom is an activity, a way of behaving, or an event which is usual or traditional in a particular society or in particular circumstances.
...an ancient custom.
American English: custom
Arabic: عُرْف
Brazilian Portuguese: costume
Chinese: 习惯
Croatian: običaj
Czech: zvyklost
Danish: skik
Dutch: gewoonte
European Spanish: costumbre
Finnish: tapa käytäntö
French: coutume
German: Brauch
Greek: έθιμο
Italian: costume
Japanese: 風習
Korean: 관습
Norwegian: sedvane
Polish: zwyczaj tradycja
European Portuguese: costume
Romanian: obicei
Russian: обычай
Latin American Spanish: costumbre
Swedish: sed
Thai: ขนบธรรมเนียม
Turkish: adet gelenek
Ukrainian: звичай
Vietnamese: phong tục
All related terms of 'custom'
custom car
a car that is built to the buyer's own specifications
custom-made
If something is custom-made , it is made according to someone's special requirements .
custom-make
to make according to the specifications of an individual buyer
custom-build
to make according to the specifications of an individual buyer
custom-built
If something is custom-built , it is built according to someone's special requirements .
custom house
a government office, esp at a port, where customs are collected and ships cleared for entry
customsn pl海关(關) (hǎiguān) : to go through customs过(過)海关(關) (guò hǎiguān)
1 (noun)
Definition
the long-established habits or traditions of a society
The custom of lighting the Olympic flame goes back centuries.
Synonyms
tradition
She has carried on the family tradition of giving away plants.
practice
convention
a social convention
ritual
Italian culture revolves around the ritual of eating.
form
a frequent broadcaster on correct form and dress
policy
plans which include changes in foreign policy
rule
The usual rule is to start as one group.
style
Our children's different learning styles created many problems.
fashion
I used to wear bell-bottoms, as was the fashion.
usage
a fruitful convergence with past usage and custom
formality
The will was read, but it was a formality.
etiquette
a breach of the rules of diplomatic etiquette
observance
Numerous religious observances set the rhythm of the day.
praxis
unwritten law
kaupapa (New Zealand)
2 (noun)
Definition
a usual practice or habit
It was his custom to approach every problem cautiously.
Synonyms
habit
It had become a habit with her to annoy him.
way
You'll have to get used to my mother's odd little ways.
practice
a public inquiry into bank practices
manner
The manner in which young children are spoken to depends on who is present.
procedure
He did not follow the correct procedure in applying for a visa.
routine
The players had to change their daily routine.
mode
the capitalist mode of production
wont
Keith woke early, as was his wont.
habitude (rare)
3 (noun)
Definition
regular use of a shop or business
Providing discounts is not the only way to win custom.
Synonyms
customers
business
May I ask what business you are in?
trade
patronage
I am withdrawing my patronage from your hotel.
Quotations
Custom reconciles us to everything [Edmund Burke – The Origin of our Ideas of the Sublime and Beautiful]a custom More honoured in the breach than the observance [William Shakespeare – Hamlet]
Additional synonyms
in the sense of business
Definition
a trade or profession
May I ask what business you are in?
Synonyms
profession,
work,
calling,
job,
line,
trade,
career,
function,
employment,
craft,
occupation,
pursuit,
vocation,
métier
in the sense of convention
Definition
an accepted rule or method
a social convention
Synonyms
custom,
practice,
tradition,
code,
usage,
protocol,
formality,
etiquette,
propriety,
kawa (New Zealand),
tikanga (New Zealand),
rule
in the sense of etiquette
Definition
the customs or rules of behaviour regarded as correct in social life