Custom — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun adjective /ˈkə-stəm/ cus·tom

Meaning & Definition of Custom

Custom (noun)

  1. a usage or practice common to many or to a particular place or class or habitual with an individual
  2. long-established practice considered as unwritten law
  3. repeated practice

Custom (adjective)

  1. made or performed according to personal order
  2. specializing in custom work or operation

Custom (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a usual manner of behaving or doing

    "it is my custom to have half a bagel and coffee for breakfast"

    similar: fashion, habit, habitude, pattern, practice, ritual, second nature, trick, way, wont
    related: addiction, disposition, bent, inclination, proclivity, set, tendency, tenor, turn, bag, convention, form, mode, style, usage, use, deportment, manners, mores, drill, groove, jog trot, regime, regimen, rote, routine, rut, affectation, airs, pose, attribute, characteristic, mark, trait, eccentricity, kink, oddity, peculiarity, quirk, singularity, tic

  2. an inherited or established way of thinking, feeling, or doing

    "the custom around here is that the bride's family pays for the wedding"

    similar: convention, heritage, prescription, rubric, rule, tradition
    related: ethic, form, mode, mores, norm, principles, standards, values, birthright, inheritance, legacy, folklore, lore, superstition, culture, lifestyle

  3. transactions or economic support provided by customers

    "that restaurant certainly lost my custom after they were cited for health code violations"

    similar: business, patronage
    related: marketplace, trade, traffic, free trade, affairs, dealings, horse-trading, merchandising, retailing, wholesaling

Custom (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. made or fitted to the needs or preferences of a specific customer

    "that business tycoon wears only custom suits"

    similar: bespoke, custom-made, custom-tailored, customized, made-to-order, tailor-made, tailored
    related: particular, special, specialized, custom-built, handcrafted, handmade, made-to-measure
    opposite: mass-produced, ready-made

Related Entry: Custom-made (adjective)

Custom-made is a different word from Custom. The synonyms below are for custom-made, not for custom.

  1. made or fitted to the needs or preferences of a specific customer

    "an odd-sized window that will require the purchase of custom-made curtains"

    similar: bespoke, custom, customized, custom-tailored, made-to-order, tailored, tailor-made
    related: particular, special, specialized, custom-built, handcrafted, handmade, made-to-measure
    opposite: mass-produced, ready-made

Related Entry: Custom-tailored (adjective)

Custom-tailored is a different word from Custom. The synonyms below are for custom-tailored, not for custom.

  1. made or fitted to the needs or preferences of a specific customer

    "a filing system that is custom-tailored to the needs of your office"

    similar: bespoke, custom, custom-made, customized, made-to-order, tailor-made, tailored
    related: particular, special, specialized, custom-built, handcrafted, handmade, made-to-measure
    opposite: mass-produced, ready-made

Related Entry: Custom-built (adjective)

Custom-built is a different word from Custom. The synonyms below are for custom-built, not for custom.

  1. built to fit the needs or requirements of a particular person

    "a custom-built home"

    "The car is custom-built."

    similar: handcrafted, handmade, bespoke, custom, customized, custom-made, custom-tailored, made-to-order, tailored, tailor-made, particular, special, specialized, made-to-measure
    opposite: mass-produced, ready-made

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Custom

The most common words with a similar meaning to Custom:

fashion, habit, habitude, pattern, practice, ritual, second nature, trick, way, wont, convention, heritage, prescription, rubric, rule, tradition, business, patronage, bespoke, custom-made, custom-tailored, customized, made-to-order, tailor-made, tailored

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Custom

Words with the opposite meaning of Custom:

mass-produced, ready-made

Related Words for Custom

addiction, disposition, bent, inclination, proclivity, set, tendency, tenor, turn, bag, form, mode, style, usage, use, deportment, manners, mores, drill, groove, jog trot, regime, regimen, rote, routine, rut, affectation, airs, pose, attribute

Origin & Etymology of Custom

Middle English custume, from Anglo-French, from Latin consuetudin-, consuetudo, from consuescere to accustom, from com- + suescere to accustom; akin to suus one's own suicide

First known use: 13th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Custom

Words & Phrases Containing Custom

custom-built, custom-made, custom-tailor

Frequently Asked Questions about Custom

What does "Custom" mean?

"Custom" means a usage or practice common to many or to a particular place or class or habitual with an individual. As an a noun and an adjective, it is defined as: a usage or practice common to many or to a particular place or class or habitual with an individual. It has 4 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Custom"?

Other words for "Custom" include fashion, habit, habitude, pattern, practice, ritual, second nature and trick. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Custom" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Custom"?

There are 95 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Custom". Common alternatives include fashion, habit, habitude, pattern, practice, ritual, second nature, trick, way and wont.

What is the opposite of "Custom"?

Antonyms of "Custom" include mass-produced and ready-made.

How do you use "Custom" in a sentence?

Examples of "Custom" in a sentence: "it is my custom to have half a bagel and coffee for breakfast"; "the custom around here is that the bride's family pays for the wedding"; "that restaurant certainly lost my custom after they were cited for health code violations".

Is "Custom" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Custom" can be used as a noun and an adjective, depending on the context.

Is "Custom" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B1-level word, "Custom" is typical of Cambridge B1 Preliminary (PET), IELTS band 4.0–5.0, TOEFL iBT 42–71, PTE Academic 43–58, TOEIC Listening & Reading 550+.

How do you pronounce "Custom"?

"Custom" is pronounced /ˈkə-stəm/ and divided into syllables as cus·tom.