English Explanatory Dictionary

custom

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. Frequent repetition of the same behavior; way of behavior common to many; ordinary manner; habitual practice; method of doing, living or behaving.
  2. Habitual buying of goods from one same vendor.
  3. The habitual patrons (i.e. customers) of a business; business support.
  4. Long-established practice, considered as unwritten law, and resting for authority on long consent. Compare prescription.
  5. Traditional beliefs or rituals.
  6. A custom (made-to-order) piece of art, etc.
  7. Familiar acquaintance; familiarity.
  8. Toll, tax, or tribute.
adj
  1. Made or done in a way adjusted to fit the needs of a particular person or group (e.g., customer, health care patient, do-it-yourselfer), and thus specialized and, in some cases, unique.
  2. Own, personal, not standard or premade.
  3. Done on a for-hire basis, as contrasted with being done only for oneself.
  4. Accustomed; usual.
verb
  1. To make familiar; to accustom.
  2. To supply with customers.
  3. To pay the customs of.
  4. To have a custom.

Pronunciation

/ˈkʌstəm/ en-us-custom.ogg

Word forms

custom customs customing customed

Etymology

PIE word *ḱóm PIE word *swé From Middle English custume, borrowed from Anglo-Norman custume, inherited from Latin consuētūdinem, a noun derived from cōnsuēscō, from con- (“with”) + suēscō (“become used or accustomed to”). Displaced native Old English ġewuna. Doublet of costume, consuetude, and kastom. The adjectival form first appears c. 1830.

Synonyms

fashion folkway habit practice usage wone wont bespoke custom-made tailored tailor-made custom-built purpose-built made-to-measure made-to-order

Related words

custom-made consuetude costumal costume customary customer customization customize

Derived words

custom and practice custom-built custom house customless grow a custom heir by custom suit custom take one's custom elsewhere Ulster custom custom car customly custom-made custom made custom snowball custom vehicle noncustom customable uncustomed

Translations

Dutch: klandizie Estonian: harjumus Finnish: asiakkuus French: chalandise German: Gewohnheit Irish: custam
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