First Known Use: 13th century
Dictionary
1habit
noun hab·it \ˈha-bət\
: a usual way of behaving : something that a person does often in a regular and repeated way
: a strong need to use a drug, to smoke cigarettes, etc.
: a piece of clothing worn by members of a religious group
Full Definition of HABIT
1
archaic : clothing
2
a : a costume characteristic of a calling, rank, or function <a nun's habit> b : a costume worn for horseback riding
3
: manner of conducting oneself : bearing
4
: bodily appearance or makeup <a man of fleshy habit>
5
: the prevailing disposition or character of a person's thoughts and feelings : mental makeup
6
: a settled tendency or usual manner of behavior <her habit of taking a morning walk>
7
a : a behavior pattern acquired by frequent repetition or physiologic exposure that shows itself in regularity or increased facility of performance b : an acquired mode of behavior that has become nearly or completely involuntary <got up early from force of habit> c : addiction <a drug habit>
8
: characteristic mode of growth or occurrence <a grass similar to Indian corn in habit>
9
of a crystal : characteristic assemblage of forms at crystallization leading to a usual appearance : shape
See habit defined for English-language learners
See habit defined for kids
Examples of HABIT
- It was his habit to take a nap after dinner every evening.
- It's important that parents teach their children good study habits.
- He fell into some bad habits after graduating from college.
- It's never easy to break a bad habit.
- He still gets up early every day from habit.
- She always closed the door softly out of habit.
- He hasn't been able to kick his cocaine habit.
Origin of HABIT
Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin habitus condition, character, from habēre to have, hold — more at give
Related to HABIT
Synonym Discussion of HABIT
habit, practice, usage, custom, wont mean a way of acting fixed through repetition. habit implies a doing unconsciously and often compulsively <had a habit of tapping his fingers>. practice suggests an act or method followed with regularity and usually through choice <our practice is to honor all major credit cards>. usage suggests a customary action so generally followed that it has become a social norm <western-style dress is now common usage in international business>. custom applies to a practice or usage so steadily associated with an individual or group as to have almost the force of unwritten law <the custom of wearing black at funerals>. wont usually applies to an habitual manner, method, or practice of an individual or group <as was her wont, she slept until noon>.
2habit
verb
Definition of HABIT
transitive verb
Examples of HABIT
- <his exclusive clothing store had habited the town's upper crust for as long as anyone could remember>
First Known Use of HABIT
1594
Related to HABIT
HABIT Defined for Kids
habit
noun hab·it \ˈha-bət\
Definition of HABIT for Kids
1
: usual way of behaving <We're studying the habits of wild birds.>
2
: clothing worn for a special purpose <a riding habit>
3
: a way of acting or doing that has become fixed by being repeated often <From long habit, Jemmy kept his eyes peeled for treasure. — Sid Fleischman, The Whipping Boy>
4
: characteristic way of growing <These are trees of spreading habit.>
Medical Dictionary
habit
noun hab·it \ˈhab-ət\
Medical Definition of HABIT
1
: bodily appearance or makeup especially as indicative of one's capacities and condition <a man of fleshy habit>
2
: a settled tendency or usual manner of behavior
3
a : a behavior pattern acquired by frequent repetition or physiological exposure that shows itself in regularity or increased facility of performance <the daily bowel habit> b : an acquired mode of behavior that has become nearly or completely involuntary <locked the door through force of habit> c : addiction <was forced to steal to support his drug habit>
4
: characteristic mode of growth or occurrence
Seen & Heard
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