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

Although Iran has never ratified the convention, "the transit passage regime is widely regarded as part of customary international law," Marco Roscini, international law professor at Westminster Law School, told AFP.

From Barron's • Mar. 25, 2026

The Apollo-Nippon Sheet transaction is expected to be completed by around March next year, subject to approval by Nippon Sheet shareholders and customary closing conditions.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 24, 2026

Job seekers aren’t the only ones feeling downward pressure on salaries: Employed people can’t assume the customary pay bump is coming this year.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 19, 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

Milo was dressed in his customary business attire—olive-drab trousers, a fresh olive-drab shirt and tie, with one silver first lieutenant’s bar gleaming on the collar, and a regulation dress cap with a stiff leather bill.

From "Catch-22" by Joseph Heller

Related Words

• accepted
• traditional