habitual

adjective

ha·​bit·​u·​al hə-ˈbi-ch(ə-)wəl How to pronounce habitual (audio)
ha-,
-ˈbi-chəl
1
: regularly or repeatedly doing or practicing something or acting in some manner : having the nature of a habit : customary
habitual candor
habitual behavior
habitual drug use
2
: regularly or repeatedly doing, practicing, or acting in some manner : doing something by force of habit
habitual drunkards
a habitual liar
3
: resorted to on a regular basis
our habitual diet
4
: inherent in an individual
habitual grace
habitually adverb
habitualness noun
Choose the Right Synonym for habitual

usual, customary, habitual, wonted, accustomed mean familiar through frequent or regular repetition.

usual stresses the absence of strangeness or unexpectedness.

my usual order for lunch

customary applies to what accords with the practices, conventions, or usages of an individual or community.

the customary waiting period before the application is approved

habitual suggests a practice settled or established by much repetition.

a habitual morning routine

wonted stresses habituation but usually applies to what is favored, sought, or purposefully cultivated.

his wonted determination

accustomed is less emphatic than wonted or habitual in suggesting fixed habit or invariable custom.

accepted the compliment with her accustomed modesty

Examples of habitual in a Sentence

He was fired for his habitual lateness. They went for their habitual evening walk.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
These moments often expose clients’ habitual ways of relating: an avoidant client might shut down, while someone with low self-esteem might assume their therapist hates them. Maytal Eyal, TIME, 25 Feb. 2025 Pressed Flower Artwork This homemade art is a Magnolia signature at this point: Pressing flowers is a habitual practice for Joanna Gaines. Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Feb. 2025 After a breakneck start to the year at the United Cup, Gauff is falling back into habitual serving issues which are impacting her follow-up play. Tim Ellis, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025 Specifically, the researchers found that the habitual yogurt eaters had lower rates of Bifidobacterium-positive proximal colon cancers. Maria Godoy, NPR, 14 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for habitual

Word History

Etymology

see habit entry 1

First Known Use

1603, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of habitual was in 1603

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Cite this Entry

“Habitual.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/habitual. Accessed 1 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

habitual

adjective
ha·​bit·​u·​al hə-ˈbich-(ə-)wəl How to pronounce habitual (audio)
ha-
1
: being or done by habit
habitual tardiness
2
: doing or acting out of habit
habitual talkers
3
: done, followed, or used often or regularly
took our habitual path
habitually
adverb
habitualness noun

Medical Definition

habitual

adjective
1
: having the nature of a habit : being in accordance with habit
habitual smoking
2
: doing, practicing, or acting in some manner by force of habit
habitual liars
habitually adverb

Legal Definition

habitual

adjective
ha·​bit·​u·​al hə-ˈbi-chə-wəl How to pronounce habitual (audio)
1
: practicing or acting in some manner by force of custom, habit, or addiction
a habitual drunkard
2
: being such a specified number of times or with designated regularity
habitual offenders
3
: involved in the practice of a person's usual behavior
her habitual residence

More from Merriam-Webster on habitual

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