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

But their more intimate songs portray her as an habitual outsider who doubts her own abilities and motivations.

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It forced us out of any habitual patterns and into a space of pure response.

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Letting go meant unlearning years of habitual behaviour.

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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.

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

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Related Words

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