habitual

[huh-bich-oo-uhl]

See more synonyms for habitual on Thesaurus.com

adjective

of the nature of a habit; fixed by or resulting from habit: habitual courtesy.
being such by habit: a habitual gossip.
commonly used, followed, observed, etc., as by a particular person; customary: She took her habitual place at the table.

Origin of habitual

1520–30; < Medieval Latin habituālis relating to dress, condition, or habit, equivalent to Latin habitu(s) habit¹ + -ālis -al¹

Related formsha·bit·u·al·ly, adverbha·bit·u·al·ness, nounnon·ha·bit·u·al, adjectivenon·ha·bit·u·al·ly, adverbnon·ha·bit·u·al·ness, nounqua·si-ha·bit·u·al, adjectivequa·si-ha·bit·u·al·ly, adverbun·ha·bit·u·al, adjectiveun·ha·bit·u·al·ly, adverb

Synonyms

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2. confirmed, inveterate. 3. accustomed, regular. See usual.

Antonyms

2. occasional. 3. unaccustomed.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for habitual

Contemporary Examples

Princess Margaret—another Royal sibling who struggled with lack of purpose—was a habitual, heavy drinker.
The Perils of a Playboy Prince
Tom Sykes
August 29, 2014
Everything about his behavior—his lassitude, his habitual indifference—makes more sense when you know his circumstances.
‘The Man Who Fell to Earth’ Is a Classic Twice over—as a Movie and a Novel
Malcolm Jones
February 9, 2014
Lawson told the court, “I have never been a habitual user.”
Nigella Lawson Tells Court She Used Cocaine, Marijuana
Nico Hines
December 4, 2013
He could change his name but not his nature—his habitual brawling and drinking cost him his job a year later.
40 years for Justice: Did the FBI Cover for the Birmingham Bombers?
Gary May
September 15, 2013
They want the jury to deduce that it was a sort of habitual foreplay employed by the popular coach.
Jerry Sandusky Trial, Day Three: The Defense Gets Steamrolled
Diane Dimond
June 14, 2012

Historical Examples

"Oh, I guess it wouldn't hurt them," said Yates, with a lack of tact that was not habitual.
In the Midst of Alarms
Robert Barr
In Rose's eyes, the habitual look of patience and understanding deepened.
Dust
Mr. and Mrs. Haldeman-Julius
"See here, Hewson," St. John said, with his habitual lack of manners.
Questionable Shapes
William Dean Howells
Vernon was silent: none of his habitual defences served him in this hour.
The Incomplete Amorist
E. Nesbit
A shade of some habitual sternness had crept over the features.
The Coryston Family
Mrs. Humphry Ward

British Dictionary definitions for habitual

habitual

adjective

(usually prenominal) done or experienced regularly and repeatedlythe habitual Sunday walk
(usually prenominal) by habita habitual drinker
customary; usualhis habitual comment

Derived Formshabitually, adverbhabitualness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for habitual

adj.

mid-15c., from Medieval Latin habitualis "pertaining to habit or dress," from Latin habitus (see habit (n.)).

habitual

Origin of .css-1fxfie5{font-size:22px;}@media (max-width:768px){.css-1fxfie5{font-size:18px;margin:0 10px 10px 0;word-break:break-all;word-wrap:break-word;-webkit-hyphens:auto;-moz-hyphens:auto;-ms-hyphens:auto;hyphens:auto;line-height:22px;}}habitual

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Words

Examples from the Web for habitual

Contemporary Examples

Princess Margaret—another Royal sibling who struggled with lack of purpose—was a habitual, heavy drinker.

Everything about his behavior—his lassitude, his habitual indifference—makes more sense when you know his circumstances.

Lawson told the court, “I have never been a habitual user.”

He could change his name but not his nature—his habitual brawling and drinking cost him his job a year later.

They want the jury to deduce that it was a sort of habitual foreplay employed by the popular coach.

Historical Examples

"Oh, I guess it wouldn't hurt them," said Yates, with a lack of tact that was not habitual.

In Rose's eyes, the habitual look of patience and understanding deepened.

"See here, Hewson," St. John said, with his habitual lack of manners.

Vernon was silent: none of his habitual defences served him in this hour.

A shade of some habitual sternness had crept over the features.

habitual

Word Origin and History for habitual

adj.

Origin of habitual