customary

American  

[kuhs-tuh-mer-ee] / ˈkʌs təˌmɛr i /

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.

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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 British  

/ 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

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noun

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

   2. a body of such laws and customs

Related Words

See usual.

Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of customary

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

Example Sentences

It said the release was taking place "in the context of the religious celebrations of Holy Week, which is a customary practice in our criminal justice system".

From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026

The deal, unanimously approved by both companies’ boards, is expected to close in the third quarter, subject to approval by National Storage Affiliates shareholders and other customary closing conditions.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 16, 2026

As is customary for the Belgian label, many of its models wore boots with their outfits on the catwalk.

From BBC • Mar. 10, 2026

Customers who truly value the service often leave more than the customary amount.

From Science Daily • Mar. 2, 2026

As was customary in their nineteen years of marriage, he left the grits on his plate untouched, an unexpressed but articulate declaration, rooted in geography, that the society he married into had not assimilated him.

From "The Great Santini" by Pat Conroy

Related Words

• accepted
• traditional