customary

adjective

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

Synonyms of customary

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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.
Wallace plays Mia, a spoiled heiress who is sent by her grandfather to Palermo, Sicily, without money or her customary luxuries, to work as a real estate agent in the family business. — Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2026 The profession initially had been a blue-collar job, and in its origins in the Northeast, going to the pub and drinking after a long day of work was customary. — Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 12 Oct. 2026 Frémaux also turned the opening ceremony into his customary crash course in Lyon cinema history. — Lise Pedersen, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026 The transaction is subject to certain regulatory approvals and the satisfaction of customary closing conditions and is expected to close in the first quarter of 2027. — Kathryn Hopkins, Footwear News, 7 Oct. 2026 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

Rhymes for customary

See All Rhymes for customary

Browse Nearby Words

customariness
customary
customary court
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Cite this Entry

“Customary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/customary. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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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
ˌkəs-tə-ˈmer-ə-lē How to pronounce customary (audio)
adverb
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