Habit — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ˈha-bət/ hab·it

Meaning & Definition of Habit

Habit (noun)

  1. a settled tendency or usual manner of behavior
  2. an acquired mode of behavior that has become nearly or completely involuntary
  3. addiction

Habit (verb)

  1. to cover with or as if with clothing, clothe

Habit (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a usual manner of behaving or doing

    "it was his habit to rise early"

    similar: custom, fashion, 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. a physiological need for certain drugs

    "a cocaine habit of long standing"

    similar: addiction, dependence, jones (slang), monkey
    related: alcoholism, heroinism, morphinism, habituation, tolerance

  3. the type of body that a person has

    "an imposing man of vigorous habit"

    similar: build, constitution, figure, form, frame, physique, shape
    related: anatomy, structure

  4. covering for the human body

    "dressed in the habit of a knight from the golden age of chivalry"

    similar: apparel, attire, clobber (British slang), clothes, clothing, costumery, dress, duds, garments, gear, habiliment(s), rags, raiment, rig, rigging, threads, toggery, togs, vestiary, vestments, vesture, wear, wearables, weeds
    related: garderobe, wardrobe, array, bravery, caparison, finery, gaiety, glad rags, pretties, regalia, trim, foofaraw, frippery, gaudery, tawdry, trumpery (archaic), tatters, costume, ensemble, frock, garb, getup, guise, livery, outfit, civvies, mufti, couture, prêt-à-porter, ready-to-wear, tailoring, activewear, loungewear, outerwear, playwear, sportswear, nightclothes, sleepwear, smallclothes, underclothes, underwear, haberdashery, menswear

Habit (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to outfit with clothes and especially fine or special clothes

    "his exclusive clothing store had habited the town's upper crust for as long as anyone could remember"

    similar: apparel, array, attire, bedeck, caparison, clothe, costume, deck (out), do up, dress, dress up, enrobe, garb, garment, get up, gown, invest, rig (out), robe, suit, tog (up or out), toilet, vesture
    related: cloak, frock, jacket, mantle, vest, drape, enswathe, hap (dialect), huddle, swaddle, swathe, wrap, accoutre, bedight (archaic), equip, furnish, habilitate, outfit, tailor, uniform, dress down, underdress
    opposite: disarray, disrobe, strip, unclothe, undress, untruss (archaic)
    near: denude, divest, uncover, undrape, unveil

Related Entry: Habit-forming (adjective)

Habit-forming is a different word from Habit. The synonyms below are for habit-forming, not for habit.

  1. causing or relating to a physiological need for certain drugs

    "warned the patient to be careful, because morphine can be habit-forming"

    similar: addicting, addictive
    related: hard, narcotic
    opposite: nonaddictive
    near: soft

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Habit

The most common words with a similar meaning to Habit:

Slang: jones
British slang: clobber
custom, fashion, habitude, pattern, practice, ritual, second nature, trick, way, wont, addiction, dependence, monkey, build, constitution, figure, form, frame, physique, shape, apparel, attire, clothes, clothing, costumery, dress, duds, garments, gear, habiliment(s), rags, raiment, rig, rigging, threads, toggery, togs, vestiary, vestments, vesture

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Habit

Words with the opposite meaning of Habit:

disarray, disrobe, strip, unclothe, undress, untruss

Related Words for Habit

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

Near Antonyms of Habit

denude, divest, uncover, undrape, unveil

Word Forms of Habit

Inflections: habited, habiting, habits

Origin & Etymology of Habit

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin habitus condition, character, from habēre to have, hold give

First known use: 13th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Habit

Words & Phrases Containing Habit

habit-forming, force of habit, by/from force of habit, creature of habit

Frequently Asked Questions about Habit

What does "Habit" mean?

"Habit" means a settled tendency or usual manner of behavior. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: a settled tendency or usual manner of behavior. It has 5 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Habit"?

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

What are different ways to say "Habit"?

There are 169 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Habit". Common alternatives include custom, fashion, habitude, pattern, practice, ritual, second nature, trick, way and wont.

What is the opposite of "Habit"?

Antonyms of "Habit" include disarray, disrobe, strip, unclothe, undress and untruss. Near antonyms include denude, divest, uncover and undrape.

How do you use "Habit" in a sentence?

Examples of "Habit" in a sentence: "it was his habit to rise early"; "a cocaine habit of long standing"; "an imposing man of vigorous habit".

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

"Habit" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

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

As an A2-level word, "Habit" is typical of Cambridge A2 Key (KET), PTE Academic 30–42, TOEIC Listening & Reading 225+.

How do you pronounce "Habit"?

"Habit" is pronounced /ˈha-bət/ and divided into syllables as hab·it.