customary

[kuhs-tuh-mer-ee]

adjective

1. according to or depending on custom; usual; habitual.

   Synonyms: regular, common, conventional, accustomed, wonted
   Antonyms: uncommon

2. of or established by custom rather than law.

3. Law.,  defined by long-continued practices.

   the customary service due from land in a manor.

noun

plural

customaries 

1. a book or document containing the legal customs or customary laws of a locality.

2. any body of such customs or laws.

customary

/ ˈkʌstəmərɪ, -təmrɪ /

adjective

1. in accordance with custom or habitual practice; usual; habitual

2. law

   1. founded upon long continued practices and usage rather than law

   2. (of land, esp a feudal estate) held by custom

noun

1. 1. a statement in writing of customary laws and practices

   2. a body of such laws and customs

Other Word Forms

• customarily adverb
• noncustomarily adverb
• noncustomary adjective
• uncustomarily adverb
• uncustomary adjective
• customariness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of customary¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; 1515–25 for current senses; late Middle English, from Medieval Latin custumārius, customārius, equivalent to costum(i)a, “custom” (also in Vulgar Latin; custom ) + -ārius -ary

Synonym Study

See usual.

Example Sentences

In addition to his customary thick glasses, he wore a handkerchief tied ’round his nose and mouth, like a bandit.

Read more on Literature

It was customary for those who completed a profitable sponge-diving expedition to spend weeks, even months, celebrating their success.

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Ms. Williams’s stories seem to have passed beyond the dramatic arcs and emotional payoffs customary to short fiction.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

"Each class has more than 105 or 110 students," she said, wearing the black niqab, or face-covering, that is customary for Yemeni women.

Read more on Barron's

It is customary for political leaders to arrive during the second and final week of UN climate talks to finalize the agreements drafted by negotiators in the opening days.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• accepted 
• traditional