Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
×

Thesaurus

customary

adjective

Synonyms and Antonyms of customary

1 accepted, used, or practiced by most people
  • The customary response to the greeting "How are you?" is "Fine, thanks!"
Synonyms of customary

conventional, current, going, popular, prevailing, prevalent, standard, stock, usual
Words Related to customary

average, common, everyday, normal, ordinary

regular, routine

epidemic, ubiquitous, universal, widespread

accustomed, wonted

fashionable, in, modish, stylish
Near Antonyms of customary

abnormal, exceptional, extraordinary, uncommon
Antonyms of customary

nonstandard, unconventional, unpopular, unusual
2 based on customs usually handed down from a previous generation
  • the customary toasting of the bride and groom at their wedding reception
Synonyms of customary

classical, conventional, prescriptive, traditional
Words Related to customary

authentic, established, fixed, historical

common, habitual, orthodox, usual

ancestral, historic, old-time, old-world

aged, age-old, ancient, antediluvian, hoary, old, venerable

ageless, dateless, immemorial, timeless
Near Antonyms of customary

contemporary, current, modern, modernized, new, new-age, present-day, updated, up-to-date

futuristic, high-tech (also hi-tech), hot, latest, mod, modernistic, newfangled, new-fashioned, red-hot, space-age, state-of-the-art, supermodern, ultramodern

nonconformist, nonorthodox, original, progressive, revolutionary, unorthodox, unprecedented, unusual
Antonyms of customary

nontraditional, unconventional, uncustomary, untraditional

Synonym Discussion of 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

Learn More about customary

  1. Dictionary: Definition of customary Spanish Central: Translation of customary Nglish: Translation of customary for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of customary for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up customary? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games