habit
B1Neutral to Formal
Definition
Meaning
A regular, repeated, often unconscious pattern of behaviour.
An automatic reaction or mental tendency; a long, loose garment worn by a monk or nun; general bodily or mental condition (archaic).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Typically implies a behaviour that is hard to give up, especially when used with 'bad'. The monastic garment sense is specialised and historical. The archaic use survives in phrases like 'habits of the body'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Both use 'nun's habit' for the garment.
Connotations
Identical.
Frequency
Equally frequent in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
have a habit of V-ingmake a habit of V-ingget into the habitbe in the habit of V-ingkick the habit (informal for stop a bad habit)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Kick the habit”
- “Force of habit”
- “A creature of habit”
- “Make a habit of something”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to consumer behaviour or workplace routines (e.g., 'buying habits', 'work habits').
Academic
Used in psychology, sociology, and behavioural sciences to describe learned automatic behaviours.
Everyday
Commonly used to discuss personal routines, health, and lifestyle (e.g., 'smoking habit', 'exercise habit').
Technical
In botany/zoology, refers to the general growth form or posture of a plant/animal.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- They decided to habit themselves in the traditional robes for the ceremony.
American English
- The monk would habit himself before dawn each morning.
adverb
British English
- He checked his phone habitually, almost without thinking.
American English
- She habitually arrives ten minutes early for every meeting.
adjective
British English
- The habit-forming nature of the medication requires caution.
American English
- Social media apps are designed to be habit-forming.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I have a good habit. I brush my teeth every morning.
- It's a bad habit to go to bed late.
- She has a habit of biting her nails when she's nervous.
- I'm trying to break my habit of eating sweets after dinner.
- Force of habit made him reach for his phone, even though he'd left it at home.
- The study examined the spending habits of young adults.
- His procrastination had become an ingrained habit that was undermining his career.
- The neural pathways associated with the habit were strengthened through constant repetition.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
A HABIT is something you HAVE A BIT of trouble stopping.
Conceptual Metaphor
HABIT IS A PATH (well-worn, easy to follow), HABIT IS A PRISON (hard to escape).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Not used for 'outfit' in general (only for monastic clothing). Russian 'привычка' maps directly. Avoid using 'habit' for a one-time action.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'I have a habit to drink coffee' instead of 'I have a habit of drinking coffee'.
- Confusing 'costume' or 'uniform' with the specialised 'nun's habit'.
Practice
Quiz
Which phrase is NOT a common collocation with 'habit'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While 'bad habit' is common, we also have 'good habits' (like exercising). The word itself is neutral.
'Habit' is personal and often unconscious. 'Custom' is a social practice of a group. 'Tradition' is a custom passed down over generations.
Rarely. The verb 'to habit' (meaning to clothe) is archaic. The adjectival form 'habited' (as in 'a habited nun') is more common in that sense.
It describes a person who prefers a predictable routine and dislikes change.