custom
B1Neutral to Formal (for 'tradition' sense). Technical/Business (for 'made-to-order' and 'tax/duty' senses).
Definition
Meaning
A traditional or habitual practice or way of doing things, typically one that is specific to a society, place, or time.
1) A business practice of making products according to individual customer specifications (custom software, custom furniture). 2) Pertaining to the import/export duties levied by a government on goods (customs duties). 3) (adjective) Made or done to order; specially designed for a particular person.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Three main senses often operate in distinct domains (cultural, commercial, governmental) but share the core idea of something being specific to a particular user or group. The plural 'customs' almost exclusively refers to duties on imports or the government authority that collects them.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Slight preference in UK for 'bespoke' as a higher-register synonym for the 'made-to-order' adjective. The 'tradition' sense is largely identical. The term 'customs' for import duties is identical.
Connotations
US English heavily uses 'custom' in commercial contexts (custom car, custom build). In both, 'customary' (adj.) is more formal than 'custom' (noun).
Frequency
The commercial/adjectival sense ('made to order') is significantly more frequent in AmE corpus data.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
It is (a) custom to + INF (It is a custom to exchange gifts)The custom of + V-ing (the custom of bowing)Custom has it that + CLAUSE (Custom has it that the eldest speaks first)According to (local) customMade/Built to customVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “As is the custom”
- “More honored in the breach than the observance (of a custom)”
- “Custom-fit”
- “Clear customs (to pass through border inspection)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to products/services tailored to client specs ('custom solution', 'custom manufacturing'). Also refers to import/export procedures ('customs clearance').
Academic
Used in anthropology, sociology, history to describe cultural or social practices ('tribal customs', 'marriage customs').
Everyday
Refers to local/traditional practices ('It's a local custom to...'), or specially made items ('I had a custom cake made').
Technical
In IT: 'custom code', 'custom settings'. In logistics: 'customs broker', 'customs tariff'.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- (Archaic) They would custom the cloth from Flanders.
- (Modern use is 'customize') We can customize the car to your needs.
American English
- (Archaic/rare) To custom a vehicle is to modify it personally.
- (Modern) He customised his truck with new tires and a paint job.
adverb
British English
- (Extremely rare/archaic) The robe was made custom for the ceremony.
- (Not standard; use 'custom-made' as adjective instead).
American English
- (Informal, non-standard) He had it built custom. (Preferred: custom-built)
- (Non-standard) The parts were ordered custom.
adjective
British English
- They offer a custom tailoring service.
- He drove a custom-built motorcycle.
American English
- She ordered a custom guitar from the luthier.
- We installed custom cabinets in the kitchen.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- It is a custom to celebrate birthdays with a cake.
- The local custom is to take your shoes off indoors.
- We followed the custom of giving red envelopes during the New Year.
- He bought a custom phone case with his name on it.
- The anthropologist studied the marriage customs of the islanders.
- The software was developed as a custom solution for the bank's needs.
- This ancient custom, more honoured in the breach than the observance, still influences local politics.
- The company specialises in creating customised learning platforms for corporate clients.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of COSTUME. A traditional COSTUME is worn as part of a local CUSTOM.
Conceptual Metaphor
CUSTOM IS A PATH (to follow a custom, to break with custom). CUSTOM IS A CONTAINER (steeped in custom, bound by custom).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не путать с 'customer' (клиент).
- 'Customs' (таможня) — всегда во множественном числе в этом значении.
- 'Custom' как прилагательное (custom design) ≈ 'индивидуальный', 'заказной', а не просто 'обычный'.
- 'Custom' как традиция — более широкое и формальное понятие, чем 'привычка' (habit).
Common Mistakes
- Using 'custom' (singular) to mean 'tax on imports' (correct: 'customs').
- Confusing 'custom' with 'costume'.
- Using 'custom' as a verb (archaic; modern equivalent is 'customize').
- Misspelling: 'costum'.
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'custom' used correctly in its commercial/adjectival sense?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A 'habit' is an individual's regular practice (brushing teeth). A 'custom' is a traditional practice of a society or group (exchanging gifts at Christmas).
It is archaic. The modern verb is 'customize' or 'tailor'. In historical texts, you might see 'to custom goods' meaning to trade in them.
It derives from the old practice of levying a 'customary' duty or toll on goods entering a town or kingdom, which became standardised as an import tax.
They are synonyms, especially for clothing. 'Bespoke' is more common in UK English and often implies higher luxury/individuality. 'Custom-made' is standard in both UK and US English and applies to a wider range of items (software, furniture).
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