habitual

adjective

ha·​bit·​u·​al hə-ˈbi-ch(ə-)wəl 

ha-,

-ˈbi-chəl

1

: regularly or repeatedly doing or practicing something or acting in some manner : having the nature of a habit : customary

habitual candor

habitual behavior

habitual drug use

2

: regularly or repeatedly doing, practicing, or acting in some manner : doing something by force of habit

habitual drunkards

a habitual liar

3

: resorted to on a regular basis

our habitual diet

4

: inherent in an individual

habitual grace

habitually adverb

habitualness noun

Synonyms

• bred-in-the-bone
• chronic
• confirmed
• dyed-in-the-wool
• inveterate

Choose the Right Synonym for habitual

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 habitual in a Sentence

He was fired for his habitual lateness.

They went for their habitual evening walk.

Recent Examples on the Web

This exercise pushes leaders out of their habitual thinking patterns and encourages fresh perspectives. —Cheryl Robinson, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025

Huttle was found to be a habitual traffic violator, which is a felony, Vawter said. —Phil Helsel, NBC News, 28 Feb. 2025

Publicist Gia Kuan agrees, sharing that in cultures like early 20th-century Japan and China, effort was viewed as a habitual practice of refinement, not about appearing effortless. —Daisy Maldonado, Vogue, 26 Feb. 2025

Meanwhile, beyond the damage caused by the SAFE-T Act’s elimination of bail — which will increase the number of serious and habitual criminals being released — there is likely to be a dramatic rise in lawsuits stemming from the act’s many new mandates on police. —Paul Vallas, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

see habit entry 1

First Known Use

1603, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing habitual

• habitual be

Rhymes for habitual

• ritual

Kids Definition

habitual

adjective

ha·​bit·​u·​al hə-ˈbich-(ə-)wəl 

ha-

1

: being or done by habit

habitual tardiness

2

: doing or acting out of habit

habitual talkers

3

: done, followed, or used often or regularly

took our habitual path

habitually

-ē

adverb

habitualness noun

Medical Definition

habitual

adjective

ha·​bit·​u·​al hə-ˈbich-(ə-)wəl, ha-, -ˈbich-əl 

1

: having the nature of a habit : being in accordance with habit

habitual smoking

2

: doing, practicing, or acting in some manner by force of habit

habitual liars

habitually

-ē 

adverb

Legal Definition

habitual

adjective

ha·​bit·​u·​al hə-ˈbi-chə-wəl 

1

: practicing or acting in some manner by force of custom, habit, or addiction

a habitual drunkard

2

: being such a specified number of times or with designated regularity

habitual offenders

3

: involved in the practice of a person's usual behavior

her habitual residence