custom

plural customs

1. countableuncountableFrequent repetition of the same behavior; way of behavior common to many; ordinary manner; habitual practice; method of doing, living or behaving.

   Much forbidden by elder custom is accepted today.

   4 more examples

   A custom More honour'd in the breach than the observance.

   c. 1599–1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Hamlet, Prince of Denmarke”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene iv]

   20 […] These men being Iewes, do exceedingly trouble our city, 21 And teach customes which are not lawfull for vs to receiue, neither to obserue, being Romanes.

   1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Acts 16:20-21

   For first Mr. Dier's opinion was that the ancient custom for exportation was by the common laws; and goeth furder, that that ancient custom was the custom upon wools, woolfells, and leather.

   a. 1627 (date written), Francis Bacon, “A.D. 1610. Ætat. 50.”, in James Spedding, editor, The Works of Francis Bacon, […]: The Letters and the Life of Francis Bacon […], volume IV, London: Longmans, Green, Reader, and Dyer, published 1858, →OCLC, page 194

   Moved beyond his custom, Gama said

   1847, Alfred Tennyson, “Part 6”, in The Princess: A Medley, London: Edward Moxon, […], →OCLC

2. countableuncountabledated outside UKHabitual buying of goods from one same vendor.

   Thank you for your custom.

   1 more example

   Let him have your custom, but not your votes.

   1710 September 28, Joseph Addison, The Whig Examiner, number 3

   1. collectivecountableuncountabledated outside UKThe habitual patrons (i.e. customers) of a business; business support.
3. countableuncountablelawLong-established practice, considered as unwritten law, and resting for authority on long consent. Compare prescription.

   The distinction between custom and usage it that usage is a fact and custom is a law. There can be usage without custom, but not custom without usage.

   1888, Francis Wharton, A Commentary on the Law of Evidence in Civil Issues, 3rd edition, volume 2, page 188

   Synonyms: usage

4. countableuncountableTraditional beliefs or rituals.

   The Ancient Egyptian culture had many distinctive and interesting beliefs and customs; one custom was the mummification of the dead.

5. countableuncountableA custom (made-to-order) piece of art, etc.

   Oftentimes I have trouble finding enough women to buy customs from. Strangely enough, finding women to take hundreds of dollars for a selfie isn’t as easy as you’d think.

   2020 July 28, “Paying for porn: How much is appropriate?”, in Slate Magazine

   1 more example

   The rest of the necklace holders finally came in! If you bought a custom from me thank you so much for your patience! I’m gonna try my best to crank them out as fast as possible

   2019 May 31, Abella Art & Design, tweet

6. countableobsoleteuncountableFamiliar acquaintance; familiarity.

   Age can not wither her, nor custom stale Her infinite variety.

   c. 1606–1607 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Anthonie and Cleopatra”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene ii]

7. archaicuncountableToll, tax, or tribute.

   Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

   1769, Bible, Authorised King James Version, Oxford standard text, Romans, xiii, 7

1. not comparableMade or done in a way adjusted to fit the needs of a particular person or group (e.g., customer, health care patient, do-it-yourselfer), and thus specialized and, in some cases, unique.

   My feet are very large, so I need custom shoes, specially made by a custom tailor.

   1 more example

   Near-synonyms: custom-made, tailored, tailor-made, custom-built, purpose-built; see also Thesaurus:custom-made

   Synonyms: bespoke, custom-made, tailored, tailor-made, custom-built, purpose-built, custom-made, made-to-measure

2. not comparableOwn, personal, not standard or premade.

   We can embroider a wide range of ready designs or a custom logo.

3. especiallynot comparableagricultureDone on a for-hire basis, as contrasted with being done only for oneself.

   custom baling

   4 more examples

   custom threshing

   The amount of high-end equipment that he maintains is justified by the fact that he does a lot of custom tillage and combining.

   My grandfather did his own threshing, plus a bunch of custom threshing on the side.

   Custom harvesters have a front row seat to crop conditions as they make their way across the country, helping farmers get their crops out of the fields. […] Wheat harvests got off to a slow start in Texas and Oklahoma this year, with rain delays, but conditions got better once custom harvesters made it to Kansas.

   2025 December 4, “Custom Harvesters Wrap Up Harvest Season”, in AgWeekTV

4. archaicnot comparableAccustomed; usual.

present singular third person customs · participle present customing · participle past customed · past customed

1. obsoletetransitiveTo make familiar; to accustom.

   a. 1771 (written, published posthumously) Thomas Gray, Agrippina Have not forgot your sire; the eye of Rome And the Prætorian camp have long revered, With customed awe the daughter, sister, wife, And mother of their Cæsars

2. obsoletetransitiveTo supply with customers.

   But yet a man might reply, that if a Shooemaker ſhould haue no Shooes in his Shoppe, but onely worke, as hee is beſpoken, hee ſhould bee weakley cuſtomed.

   1605, Francis Bacon, “The Second Booke”, in The Twoo Bookes of Francis Bacon. Of the Proficience and Aduancement of Learning, Diuine and Humane, London: […] [Thomas Purfoot and Thomas Creede] for Henrie Tomes, […], →OCLC, folio 52, recto

3. obsoletetransitiveTo pay the customs of.

   Barabas, thy ships are safe, Riding in Malta Rhode; and all the merchants With other merchandize are safe arriv'd, And have sent me to know whether yourself Will come and custom them.

   c. 1589–1590 (date written), Christopher Marlo[we], edited by Tho[mas] Heywood, The Famous Tragedy of the Rich Iew of Malta. […], London: […] I[ohn] B[eale] for Nicholas Vavasour, […], published 1633, →OCLC, Act I

4. intransitiveobsoleteTo have a custom.

   For on a Bridge he cuſtometh to fight, / Which is but narrow, but exceeding long; / And in the ſame are many trap fals pight, / Through which the rider downe doth fall through ouerſight.

   1596, Edmund Spenser, “Book V, Canto II”, in The Faerie Queene. […], part II (books IV–VI), London: […] [Richard Field] for William Ponsonby, →OCLC, stanza 7, page 198