custom 1 of 2

noun

ˈkə-stəm How to pronounce custom (audio)
Definition of customnext
1
as in ritual
a usual manner of behaving or doing it is my custom to have half a bagel and coffee for breakfast

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in tradition
an inherited or established way of thinking, feeling, or doing the custom around here is that the bride's family pays for the wedding

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in business
transactions or economic support provided by customers that restaurant certainly lost my custom after they were cited for health code violations

Synonyms & Similar Words

custom

2 of 2

adjective

as in customized
made or fitted to the needs or preferences of a specific customer that business tycoon wears only custom suits

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun custom differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of custom are habit, practice, usage, and wont. While all these words mean "a way of acting fixed through repetition," custom applies to a practice or usage so steadily associated with an individual or group as to have almost the force of unwritten law.

the custom of wearing black at funerals

When can habit be used instead of custom?

Although the words habit and custom have much in common, habit implies a doing unconsciously and often compulsively.

had a habit of tapping his fingers

When is practice a more appropriate choice than custom?

In some situations, the words practice and custom are roughly equivalent. However, practice suggests an act or method followed with regularity and usually through choice.

our practice is to honor all major credit cards

Where would usage be a reasonable alternative to custom?

The synonyms usage and custom are sometimes interchangeable, but usage suggests a customary action so generally followed that it has become a social norm.

western-style dress is now common usage in international business

In what contexts can wont take the place of custom?

The words wont and custom are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, wont usually applies to a habitual manner, method, or practice of an individual or group.

as was her wont, she slept until noon

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of custom
Noun
This vacuum and mop hybrid syncs up to a smartphone app that custom maps spaces for a thorough clean. —Ali Faccenda, People.com, 17 Apr. 2025 Instagram has announced a new feature called Blend, which creates a custom, invite-only Reels feed for you and your friends. —Prakhar Khanna, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
As private space exploration expands, the demand for custom, high-durability tool control solutions is growing, positioning TraceMySpace as an essential partner in the industry. —Jason Phillips, USA TODAY, 6 Mar. 2025 But Salesforce is continuing to press on with its custom AI agent development. —Megan Poinski, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for custom
Recent Examples of Synonyms for custom
  1. ritual
  2. tradition
  3. business
  4. habit
  5. rule
  6. patronage
  7. tailored
  8. practice
Noun
  • From home births to birth centers, spiritual rituals to structural advocacy, their choices aren’t just personal, but collective.
    — Stephanie Long, Essence, 17 Apr. 2025
  • According to a new WalletHub survey, many consumers are planning to skip some of the holiday's traditional rituals like dyeing eggs because of high prices.
    — Matt Robison, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Apr. 2025
Definition of ritual
Noun
  • Trader Joe’s has a longstanding tradition of offering reusable canvas shopping bags, which began in 1977.
    — Renan Botelho, Footwear News, 10 Apr. 2025
  • But for Shawn Amos, son of legendary entrepreneur Wally Amos—the founder of Famous Amos cookies—baking wasn’t just a family tradition.
    — Jasmine Browley, Essence, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of tradition
Noun
  • Tourism destinations hit by natural disasters need visitors in order for local people and businesses to survive.
    — Shoshi Parks, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Google has launched tools and services enabling developers and business users to build agents.
    — Janakiram MSV, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of business
Noun
  • Digestive issues: If protein intake is high and fiber intake is low, changes in bowel habits, like constipation or diarrhea, may occur.
    — Lauren Panoff, MPH, RD, Verywell Health, 18 Apr. 2025
  • This highlights the immense impact of AI on people’s spending habits.
    — Roman Eloshvili, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of habit
Noun
  • The only issue with the price Chelsea Women was sold for was that they were bought by their parent company in a move that helped the men’s team comply with the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules (PSR) in 2023-24.
    — Matt Slater, New York Times, 19 Apr. 2025
  • The top attorney for a California board that enforces labor rules said Thursday that Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office may have violated state law over its handling of an order directing many public employees to work in person four days a week.
    — Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of rule
Noun
  • Dozens of restaurants and bars are offering discounts and happy hour deals to encourage further patronage, including $10 cocktails and bites at Formosa Cafe and $8 cocktails at Connie & Ted’s.
    — Danielle Dorsey, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2025
  • He was later stripped of his military titles and his royal patronages.
    — Julie K. Brown, Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2025
Definition of patronage
Adjective
  • Living room artwork by Robert Mapplethorpe and one-of-a-kind de Gournay wallpaper further enhance the abode’s tailored aura.
    — David Foxley, Architectural Digest, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Nadler Modular continues to lead with tailored solutions across these sectors.
    — Ascend Agency, New York Daily News, 21 Apr. 2025
Definition of tailored
Noun
  • While some partake in more traditional practices like prayer or mass on Easter Sunday, others enjoy a more secular interpretation with baskets, egg decorating, egg hunting, and of course, the Easter Bunny.
    — Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 20 Apr. 2025
  • Storing eggs at room temperature: While this might be common practice in other countries, in the U.S., eggs are washed before being sold, removing their protective coating (bloom).
    — Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 19 Apr. 2025
Definition of practice

Browse Nearby Words

custody
custom
customarily
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Custom.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/custom. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on custom

Nglish: Translation of custom for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about custom

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Words in Disguise: Do these seem familiar?

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes: A-Z List of Examples
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

10 Words from Taylor Swift Songs (Merriam's Version)

'Blue Moon,' 'Wolf Moon,' and Other Moons to Look for Throughout the Year

10 Scrabble Words Without Any Vowels
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
name that thing flower edition
Name That Flower Can you tell the difference between a lilac and a...
See All