customary

1 of 2

adjective

cus·​tom·​ary ˈkə-stə-ˌmer-ē 

-ˌme-rē

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 

-ˌme-rē-

noun

customariness

2 of 2

noun

cus·​tom·​ar·​i·​ness ˈkə-stə-ˌmer-ē-nəs 

-ˌme-rē-

plural -es

: the quality or state of being customary

Synonyms of customary

Adjective

• usual
• conventional
• prevailing
• current

Choose the Right Synonym for customary

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

Adjective

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

Adjective

As is customary when deputies shoot a suspect, the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau and Internal Affairs Bureau have launched separate investigations. —Los Angeles Times, 21 June 2026

As customary, the BIG3’s eight teams’ rosters are adorned with a host of accomplished names including the LA Riot’s Dwight Howard and the defending champion Miami 305’s dynamic duo of Mario Chalmers and Michael Beasley, to name but a few. —Juan Carlos Blanco, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026

The company uses long-term contracts that mimic regulated returns, avoiding the fluctuations customary in deregulated markets. —Conor Harrison, The Conversation, 16 June 2026

The rate decision will be the first major policy move overseen by Warsh, who will address reporters during a customary press conference minutes after the central bank issues its announcement. —Max Zahn, ABC News, 16 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

see custom entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

1552, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for customary

• accessary
• adversary
• ancillary
• apiary
• arbitrary
• aviary
• axillary
• bacillary
• beriberi
• bestiary
• breviary
• budgetary

Kids Definition

customary

adjective

cus·​tom·​ary ˈkəs-tə-ˌmer-ē 

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 

adverb