habitual

play

adjective ha·bit·u·al \hə-ˈbi-ch(ə-)wəl, ha-, -ˈbi-chəl\

Definition of habitual

1 : regularly or repeatedly doing or practicing something or acting in some manner : having the nature of a habit : customary habitual candor habitual behavior habitual drug use
2 : regularly or repeatedly doing, practicing, or acting in some manner : doing something by force of habit habitual drunkards a habitual liar
3 : resorted to on a regular basis our habitual diet
4 : inherent in an individual habitual grace

habitually

adverb

habitualness

noun

See habitual defined for English-language learners

See habitual defined for kids

Examples of habitual in a Sentence

He was fired for his habitual lateness.
They went for their habitual evening walk.

Recent Examples of habitual from the Web

Germany, seeing France respecting European budgetary rules and showing signs of economic confidence, started to put aside its habitual distrust.

— The Economist, "If France’s reforms succeededWhat a Macron miracle could do for France and Europe," 13 July 2017
The bill approved Thursday has protections against habitual offenders, said its sponsor, Rep. John Becker, a Republican from Union Township.

— laura hancock, cleveland.com, "Ohio House passes bill to decriminalize concealed handguns in schools, other gun-free zones," 6 July 2017
Tuesday's sentence included a 20-year habitual offender enhancement, officials said.

— justin l. mack, Indianapolis Star, "Man who doused woman in gas and set her on fire sentenced to 60 years," 28 June 2017
Those accustomed to Trump’s habitual online ramblings, however, know to approach his idiosyncratic perspectives on foreign policy with caution.

— vanityfair.com, VanityFair.com, "Trump’s Mystifying Tweet Leaves U.S. Officials Baffled," 21 June 2017
Those accustomed to Trump’s habitual online ramblings, however, know to approach his idiosyncratic perspectives on foreign policy with caution.

— isobel thompson, The Hive, "Trump’s Mystifying Tweet Leaves U.S. Officials Baffled," 21 June 2017
Dolce & Gabbana divided to conquer, offering a surprise Sartoria show as an amuse-bouche to its now habitual millennial-athon (which is starting to feel like a return to the days of D&G).

— Vogue, "Grazie, Milano: Vogue’s Editors Discuss Milan’s Spring 2018 Menswear Shows," 20 June 2017
The Second District Appellate Court recently granted a new trial to an Aurora man convicted and imprisoned as an armed habitual criminal in 2014.

— dan campana, Aurora Beacon-News, "New trial for Aurora man deemed armed habitual criminal," 16 June 2017
Vanbommel was also found to be a habitual offender, which enhanced his sentence.

— kieran nicholson, The Denver Post, "Man who fatally beat his 84-year-old grandfather sentenced to 72 years," 16 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'habitual.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of habitual

see ¹habit

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1603

See Words from the same year

Synonym Discussion of habitual

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

HABITUAL Defined for English Language Learners

habitual

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adjective

Definition of habitual for English Language Learners

: done regularly or repeatedly
: doing something regularly or repeatedly

HABITUAL Defined for Kids

habitual

play

adjective ha·bit·u·al \hə-ˈbi-chə-wəl\

Definition of habitual for Students

1 : occurring regularly or repeatedly : being or done by habit habitual kindness
2 : doing or acting by force of habit habitual liars
3 : regular 1 Salad is my habitual lunch.

habitually

\-wə-lē\ adverb He is habitually late.

Medical Dictionary

habitual

play

adjective ha·bit·u·al \hə-ˈbich-(ə-)wəl, ha-, -ˈbich-əl\

Medical Definition of habitual

1: having the nature of a habit : being in accordance with habit habitual smoking
2: doing, practicing, or acting in some manner by force of habit habitual liars

habitually

\-ē\play adverb

Law Dictionary

habitual

play

adjective ha·bit·u·al \hə-ˈbi-chə-wəl\

Legal Definition of habitual

1 : practicing or acting in some manner by force of custom, habit, or addiction a habitual drunkard
2 : being such a specified number of times or with designated regularity habitual offenders
3 : involved in the practice of a person's usual behavior her habitual residence