customary
KUSS-tuh-mair-ee
/ˈkʌs.tə.mər.i/
According to or based on custom, long-established practice, or unwritten legal traditions.
In legal contexts ('customary law'), refers to legal systems developed through continuous community practice rather than written state statutes.
The story behind the word. From Old French coustumier, stemming from Latin consuetudo ('custom' or 'habit'). It gained distinct legal significance in medieval jurisprudence to distinguish local oral legal codes from written Roman law.
Word relationships
- traditional: 'Traditional' relates broadly to past beliefs, while 'customary' specifically stresses habitual practice and recognized legal norm.
- conventional: 'Conventional' refers to agreed social norms, whereas 'customary' implies deep historical roots.
- statutory: Enacted through formal legislation.
- unprecedented: Never done or known before.
Commonly confused with
- customer: 'Customer' is a buyer of goods; 'customary' means established by long custom.
Word family
- custom (noun): A traditional practice
- customarily (adverb): Usually, according to custom
Collocations
- customary law
- customary rights
- customary practice
- customary usage
Example sentences
- "The dispute was resolved in accordance with customary law rather than state court procedures." Legal anthropology
- "It was customary for the community to hold a harvest ceremony before planting." Cultural practice
Memory hook
CUSTOM-ary = following long CUSTOM. Rooted in custom.
When not to use
Do not use for newly enacted statutory laws or short-term modern trends.
Fun facts
- International law recognizes 'Customary International Law' as binding rules that arise from consistent, long-standing state practice over time.
Related words
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