customary

adjective

cus·​tom·​ary ˈkə-stə-ˌmer-ē How to pronounce customary (audio)
-ˌme-rē
1
: commonly practiced, used, or observed
customary acts of courtesy
his customary enthusiasm
2
: based on or established by custom
customary laws
customariness noun
Choose the Right Synonym for customary

usual, customary, habitual, wonted, accustomed mean familiar through frequent or regular repetition.

usual stresses the absence of strangeness or unexpectedness.

my usual order for lunch

customary applies to what accords with the practices, conventions, or usages of an individual or community.

the customary waiting period before the application is approved

habitual suggests a practice settled or established by much repetition.

a habitual morning routine

wonted stresses habituation but usually applies to what is favored, sought, or purposefully cultivated.

his wonted determination

accustomed is less emphatic than wonted or habitual in suggesting fixed habit or invariable custom.

accepted the compliment with her accustomed modesty

Examples of customary in a Sentence

He forgot the customary “thank you.” It is customary to hold the door open for someone who is entering a building behind you. She dressed in her customary fashion. He did the work with his customary efficiency.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Advertisement The document, as is customary for reports prepared by Justice Department special counsels, provides a recap of the investigative findings. Eric Tucker and Alanna Durkin Richer, Los Angeles Times, 14 Jan. 2025 Wicker and Reed were briefed on the agency’s findings Friday, The New York Times reported, but other members were not given access, as is customary. Sara Dorn, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025 The document, as is customary for reports prepared by Justice Department special counsels, provides a recap of the investigative findings. Alanna Durkin Richer, Chicago Tribune, 13 Jan. 2025 As is customary in the U.K., certain events had to transpire. Nick Romano, EW.com, 10 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for customary 

Word History

Etymology

see custom entry 1

First Known Use

1552, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of customary was in 1552

Dictionary Entries Near customary

Cite this Entry

“Customary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/customary. Accessed 24 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

customary

adjective
cus·​tom·​ary ˈkəs-tə-ˌmer-ē How to pronounce customary (audio)
1
: based on or established by custom
customary rent
2
: commonly done, observed, or used
her customary kindness
customary courtesies
customarily adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on customary

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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