habitual

[huh-bich-oo-uhl]

adjective

1. of the nature of a habit; fixed by or resulting from habit.

   habitual courtesy.

2. (of a person) having developed a specified character through force of habit.

   a habitual gossip.

   Synonyms: inveterate, confirmed
   Antonyms: occasional

3. commonly used, followed, observed, etc., as by a particular person; customary.

   She took her habitual place at the table.

   Synonyms: regular, accustomed
   Antonyms: unaccustomed

habitual

/ həˈbɪtjʊəl /

adjective

1. (usually prenominal) done or experienced regularly and repeatedly

   the habitual Sunday walk

2. (usually prenominal) by habit

   a habitual drinker

3. customary; usual

   his habitual comment

Other Word Forms

• habitually adverb
• habitualness noun
• nonhabitual adjective
• nonhabitualness noun
• quasi-habitual adjective
• unhabitual adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of habitual¹

First recorded in 1520–30; from Medieval Latin habituālis “relating to dress, condition, or habit,” equivalent to Latin habitu(s) habit ¹ + -ālis -al ¹

Synonym Study

See usual.

Example Sentences

On my first morning, I looked up at a coffee shop menu and saw a sticker of a Canadian flag pasted over my habitual order, an Americano.

From Los Angeles Times

And for that, she became an instant effigy for MAGA’s habitual and baseless attempt to link trans identity with mass shootings.

From Salon

Her behaviour was described by police as "despicable", and she was described as a "habitual liar".

From BBC

“The defendant embraced the fact that he was a habitual drug user who regularly engaged in domestic abuse,” federal prosecutors wrote in a hearing about Combs’ possible bail terms.

From Los Angeles Times

At his parole hearing - where he admitted to being a "habitual liar" - Causley said he burned her body in his garden.

From BBC

Related Words

• addicted 
• chronic 
• hardened 
• inveterate 
• perpetual 
• repeated