habitual
/həˈbɪtʃ.u.əl/ IELTSAcademic
adjective
Done again and again as a habit. It often describes actions, behaviour, or patterns that happen regularly. It can also describe something usual or typical for a person.
- She had the habitual habit of checking her phone first.
- His habitual route to work changed last month.
- Tea was her habitual drink in the evening.
Adinary Nuance
Habitual is stronger than regular when something feels like a fixed habit, not just a schedule. It is also more neutral than addicted, which suggests loss of control. Writers choose habitual for repeated actions, especially in formal or legal contexts, like "habitual lateness" or "habitual offender."
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- quen thuộc
- Spanish
- habitual
- Chinese
- 习惯性的
- Japanese
- 習慣的な
- Korean
- 습관적인
Etymology
From Late Latin habitualis, from Latin habitus meaning “condition” or “state.” It entered English through French in the late Middle Ages.
Common phrases
habitual behaviourhabitual smokerhabitual offenderhabitual lateness
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is habitual formal or informal?
- It is fairly formal and common in writing, reports, and academic English.
- What is the difference between habitual and regular?
- Regular means happening at fixed times or intervals. Habitual means caused by habit or repeated so often it feels fixed.
- Can I say habitual for a person?
- Yes. It often describes a person's repeated behaviour, like habitual lying or habitual lateness.
- Is habitual used in law?
- Yes. In legal English, it can describe someone who repeatedly does something, like a habitual offender.