Meaning & use
custom
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Meanings
nouncountable or uncountable
A traditional practice that a particular society or group follows regularly.
Grammar: Countable when referring to a specific practice; uncountable when referring to the general idea, e.g., 'It is the custom to...'.
Patterns
- a custom of doing something
- it is the custom to do something
- local custom
- follow a custom
In some countries, it is the custom to remove your shoes before entering a house.
The wedding followed many ancient customs.
Shaking hands is a common custom in business meetings.
noununcountable
The regular patronage of a business by a customer.
Grammar: Uncountable; used in business contexts to mean the regular buying of goods or services.
Patterns
- give someone your custom
- take your custom elsewhere
- lose someone's custom
Thank you for your custom over the years.
The new supermarket has taken a lot of custom from local shops.
If the service doesn't improve, I'll take my custom elsewhere.
adjectivebefore a noun
Made or designed specially for a particular person or purpose.
Grammar: Used before a noun, e.g., 'custom-made', 'custom design'.
Patterns
- custom-made
- custom-built
- custom design
He drives a custom-built sports car.
The company offers custom furniture for small apartments.
She ordered a custom suit for the wedding.
Word forms
| plural | customs |
|---|
Common combinations
- local custom
- It's important to respect local customs when you travel.
- ancient custom
- The festival is based on an ancient custom.
- custom-made
- She bought a custom-made dress for the party.
- customs and traditions
- The book describes the customs and traditions of the region.
- follow a custom
- They still follow the custom of giving gifts at New Year.
Synonyms and how they differ
- tradition
- Tradition is a more general term for beliefs or practices passed down through generations; custom often refers to a specific habitual practice.
- practice
- Practice can mean a usual way of doing something; custom implies a long-established and socially accepted way.
- habit
- Habit is a personal routine; custom is a shared social practice.
Word family
Commonly confused: custom or costume?
custom vs costume
Costume refers to clothes worn for a play or party; custom means a traditional practice. They sound similar but are different words.
Practice
In Japan, it is the ______ to bow when greeting someone.
Choose one answer.
Custom means a traditional practice. Customer is a person who buys things, customs refers to the government agency or plural of custom, and costume is clothing.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “custom”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.