habit
HAB-iht
Habit (noun) means something you do regularly, often without thinking about it. Example: “Biting your nails is a habit that many people find hard to stop.”
noun
1
Something you do regularly, often without thinking about it.
"Biting your nails is a habit that many people find hard to stop."
"Checking his phone first thing every morning had become a habit."
"She's trying to build a habit of reading before bed."
2
A strong, hard-to-break dependency on something, especially a drug.
"He went to a clinic for help with his drug habit."
"Breaking a gambling habit can take years of support from family and friends."
"His smoking habit was costing him a small fortune."
How to use habit
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA behavior you repeat so often it becomes automatic.
Common mistake
A "habit" is usually a repeated action; "custom" is more about shared social tradition.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
break a habit
form a habit
bad habit
nervous habit
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Word forms
- Plural
- habits
- Third person singular
- habits
- Past tense
- habited
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Biting your nails is a _____ that many people find hard to stop.
Etymology
From Latin habitus ("condition, dress, bearing"), from habere ("to have or hold") — distantly related to "gift."
Related words
Rhymes for habit
See all rhymes for habit →Frequently asked questions
What does “habit” mean?
The word “habit” means something you do regularly, often without thinking about it. In plain terms, a behavior you repeat so often it becomes automatic.
How do you pronounce “habit”?
“Habit” is pronounced HAB-iht (/ˈhæb.ɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “habit” in a sentence?
Here is “habit” used in a sentence: “Checking his phone first thing every morning had become a habit.”
What part of speech is “habit”?
“Habit” is a noun.
Where does the word “habit” come from?
The word “habit” comes from Latin. From Latin habitus ("condition, dress, bearing"), from habere ("to have or hold") — distantly related to "gift.".
Is “habit” a common word?
“Habit” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “habit” have?
“Habit” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: something you do regularly, often without thinking about it.
What is the difference between "habit" and "routine"?
A "habit" is something you do regularly, often automatically and without thinking about it. A "routine" is a fixed sequence of actions done deliberately in a set order, such as a morning routine, so a routine can be planned while a habit is usually unconscious.
What is the difference between "habit" and "addiction"?
A "habit" is a repeated behaviour that may be easy or hard to change. An "addiction" is a strong, hard-to-break dependency, especially on a drug, so it is more severe, though "habit" can carry this stronger sense in phrases like "kick the habit."
What is the difference between "habit" and "custom"?
A "habit" is usually an individual's regular, often automatic behaviour. A "custom" is a shared practice followed by a group, community, or culture, so habits are personal while customs are social.
What are common expressions using "habit"?
Everyday phrases include "break a habit," "kick the habit," "force of habit," and "creature of habit." These reflect both the sense of a regular behaviour and that of a dependency that is hard to give up.
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