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

As does the President's own habitual use of unnamed or discredited sources to back up some of his more dubious arguments.

— gregory krieg, CNN, "Trump gets twisted up in his own weird Russia logic", 31 May 2017
That’s really the goal, getting habitual stallers to act quickly.

— regina garcia cano, The Seattle Times, "World Series of Poker tournament opens in Las Vegas", 30 May 2017
Ballay had been sentenced to life as a habitual offender after accruing 120 arrests, including more than 70 felony arrests, with 25 convictions, along with numerous misdemeanor charges.

— laura mcknight, NOLA.com, "Man accused of producing child porn had life sentence reduced under informant law", 27 May 2017
But most of us are in a hurry, a reflexive, habitual, cultural hurry, which is why the laundry-folding robots will find a market.

— mary schmich, chicagotribune.com, "The laundry-folding robots are coming", 25 May 2017
All artists follow a habitual procedure that is specific to their recording style, and to create his pop-folk sound, Marc’s process is much more than just simple recording and writing songs.

— curtis silver, WIRED, "GeekDad Music Review: Marc With a C Exposes the Truth in Fidelity", 29 June 2011

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

First Known Use: 1603

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

play

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