habitual
huh-BIT-choo-uhl
/həˈbɪtʃuəl/
Done or doing constantly or as a habit.
Often carries a slightly negative or clinical connotation, as if the person cannot help themselves.
The story behind the word. From the Latin 'habere' (to have or hold). A habit is something you 'have' or 'hold' so often that it becomes your 'condition' or 'attire'.
Word relationships
- inveterate: Inveterate implies a habit that is long-established and unlikely to change.
- chronic: Chronic is usually reserved for medical conditions or deep-seated problems.
- occasional: Occasional implies something done only sometimes, not by habit.
Commonly confused with
- customary: Customary refers to social norms, while habitual refers to individual ingrained behaviors.
Word family
- habitual (adjective): Done by habit.
- habitually (adverb): In a habitual way.
- habituate (verb): To make or become accustomed to something.
Collocations
- habitual liar
- habitual offender
- habitual use
- habitual behavior
Example sentences
- "The judge noted that the defendant was a habitual offender with a long history of similar crimes." A common legal description of a repeat offender.
- "His habitual scowl made him look much older than he actually was." Describing a personal physical trait.
Memory hook
A 'Habitual' person is 'In-Habited' by their habits. Habitual is hard to break.
When not to use
Avoid using for positive traditions; 'customary' is better for those.
Fun facts
- In the Middle Ages, a 'habit' referred specifically to the clothing worn by monks or nuns, which they wore 'habitually'.
Explore more words
continual, ritualistic, chronic, continually, conditioned, habituate
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