habit
1 Americannoun
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an acquired behavior pattern regularly followed until it has become almost involuntary.
the habit of looking both ways before crossing the street.
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customary practice or use.
Daily bathing is an American habit.
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a particular practice, custom, or usage.
the habit of shaking hands.
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a dominant or regular disposition or tendency; prevailing character or quality.
She has a habit of looking at the bright side of things.
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Often the habit addiction, especially to narcotics.
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mental character or disposition.
a habit of mind.
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characteristic bodily or physical condition.
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the characteristic form, aspect, mode of growth, etc., of an organism.
a twining habit.
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the characteristic crystalline form of a mineral.
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garb of a particular rank, profession, religious order, etc..
a monk's habit.
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the attire worn by a rider of a saddle horse.
verb (used with object)
idioms
verb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
noun
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a tendency or disposition to act in a particular way
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established custom, usual practice, etc
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psychol a learned behavioural response that has become associated with a particular situation, esp one frequently repeated
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mental disposition or attitude
a good working habit of mind
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a practice or substance to which a person is addicted
drink has become a habit with him
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the state of being dependent on something, esp a drug
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botany zoology the method of growth, type of existence, behaviour, or general appearance of a plant or animal
a climbing habit
a burrowing habit
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the customary apparel of a particular occupation, rank, etc, now esp the costume of a nun or monk
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Also called: riding habit. a woman's riding dress
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crystallog short for crystal habit
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The characteristic shape of a crystal, such as the cubic habit that is characteristic of pyrite.
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The characteristic manner of growth of a plant. For example, grape plants and ivy display a vining habit.
Synonym Usage
See custom.
Etymology
Origin of habit1
First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English, from Latin habitus “state, style, practice,” equivalent to habi- (variant stem of habēre “to have”) + -tus verbal noun suffix; replacing Middle English abit, from Old French
Origin of habit2
First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English habiten from Old French (h)abiter, from Latin habitāre “to wear habitually; inhabit; see habitat
Explanation
Any action that you perform regularly as part of your routine can be called a habit. Flossing your teeth would be considered a good habit. Sucking your thumb would be considered a bad habit, especially as an adult. On New Year's people always vow to break their bad habits, but bad habits die hard. The noun habit can also refer to an established custom — like the habit of breaking bread with your family every holiday. On a completely different note, clothing that is worn for horseback riding, or by a nun or monk, can also be called a habit. All good nuns should be in the habit of washing their habits.
Vocabulary lists containing habit
The Poet X
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"The Sporting Spirit"
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Queen of the Sea
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
But despite reaching the postseason in each of the next eight years, they had a nasty habit of melting down spectacularly in the Eastern Conference Finals.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 13, 2026
"That became a habit, they're used to it," said one 29-year-old veteran of the capital's elite party scene, who like other interviewees requested anonymity for security reasons.
From Barron's • Jun. 12, 2026
Trump’s Diet Coke habit is legendary—the New York Times once reported that he drinks a dozen of them a day.
From Slate • Jun. 11, 2026
That sounds simple, but it creates a challenge because reading words is an automatic habit for most people.
From Science Daily • Jun. 10, 2026
To say there was no fun in it would be untrue; on the other hand, she had no wish to make it a habit.
From "The Long-Lost Home" by Maryrose Wood
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
