Habitual
/həˈbɪtʃuəl/
Definitions
Done or acting in a way that is usual or by habit; characteristic of a specific person or thing.
/həˈbɪtʃuəl/
Done or doing constantly or as a habit.
She was a habitual shopper, always seeking the newest trends.
💡 Simply: Imagine someone who always orders the same coffee every morning. That person is *habitual* with their coffee order! It means they do it often and without thinking.
👶 For kids: When you do something over and over again, like brushing your teeth every day, that's *habitual* behavior!
More Examples
The restaurant was frequented by habitual diners who enjoyed the cozy atmosphere.
His habitual skepticism made him distrust even simple explanations.
How It's Used
"He was a habitual latecomer to meetings."
"Habitual behaviors are often learned through repetition."
Idioms & expressions
habitual criminal
A person who repeatedly commits crimes.
"The police were aware of the habitual criminal's history."
From Old French *habituel* or directly from Latin *habituālis* ('pertaining to habit'), derived from *habitus* ('condition, habit').
The word 'habitual' has been used since the 16th century to describe actions performed out of habit or custom.
Memory tip
Think of 'habit' - something you do regularly. Habitual describes actions that have become a regular habit.