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custom definition

cus·tom (kustəm)

noun

  1. a usual practice or habitual way of behaving; habit
    1. a social convention carried on by tradition and enforced by social disapproval of any violation
    2. such practices, collectively
  2. under feudalism, a service, rent, etc. regularly paid to a lord
    1. duties or taxes imposed by a government on imported and, occasionally, exported goods
    2. the government agency in charge of collecting these duties, or any of its offices
    1. the regular support or patronage of a business establishment
    2. customers as a group
  3. Law such usage as by common consent and long-established, uniform practice has taken on the force of law

Etymology: 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

adjective

  1. made or done to order or, sometimes, made extra fine, as if to order
  2. making things to order, or dealing in things made to order a custom tailor

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Alternate definitions:
custom Synonyms

custom

n.

  1. A habitual action

    habit, practice, usage, wont, fashion, routine, precedent, use, habitude, form, consuetude, addiction, rule, procedure, manner, observance, characteristic, second nature, matter of course, beaten path*, rut*; see also method 2, system 2.

    Antonyms irregularity, strangeness*, newness. *

  2. A traditional action

    manner, way, mode, method, system, style, vogue, fashion, convention, habit, rule, practice, precedent, formality, form, mold, established way of doing things, pattern, design, type, taste, character, routine, ritual, rite, ceremony, attitude, immemorial usage, observance, social usage, mores, dictates of society, familiar way, unwritten law, etiquette, conventionality, second nature, conventionalism, matter of course; see also tradition 1.

    Antonyms deviation, departure*, shift. *

  3. The whole body of tradition

    inheritance, folkways, mores; see culture 2. See syn. study at habit.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

custom Usage Examples

Adjective modifier

  • ancient: An ancient custom was for the oldest son to have a double portion of the inheritance.

Converse of object

  • build: We can offer you a online shop custom built either around your already existing identity or from scratch.

Converse of subject

  • impound: No refund will be given for any goods impounded by customs or local agents.

Modifies a noun

  • clearance: We will include it with the goods to speed up customs clearance.

Noun used with modifier

  • Sabbath: They identified questions and suggested answers about Sabbath customs.
custom usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

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"custom." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 4 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/custom>

APA Style

custom. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 4th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/custom

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