wont
C1 / AdvancedFormal, Literary, Archaic
Definition
Meaning
A person's habitual or customary way of doing something; a habit or custom.
Also used as an adjective meaning 'accustomed' or 'inclined' to do something.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word is often used in a semi-fixed phrase 'as is one's wont', meaning 'as one usually does'. It carries a slightly old-fashioned or literary tone.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
More common in British English in literary contexts; very rare in contemporary American English outside of fixed phrases.
Connotations
Conveys a sense of tradition, personal idiosyncrasy, or established habit. In British usage, it can sound quaint or deliberate.
Frequency
Low frequency in both varieties, but relatively higher occurrence in British historical and literary texts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] + be + wont + to-infinitive (He was wont to arrive early.)[As] + is/was + [possessive] + wont (As is his wont, he took a long walk after lunch.)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “as is one's wont”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Possibly in formal writing describing corporate culture: 'The company was wont to reward long service.'
Academic
Found in literary criticism, history, and anthropology to describe habitual behaviors of individuals or cultures.
Everyday
Virtually never used in casual conversation.
Technical
Not applicable.
Examples
By Part of Speech
noun
British English
- He arrived at six, as was his wont.
- It is her wont to take tea in the library.
American English
- As is his wont, he began the meeting with a joke.
- She followed the old wont of her family.
adjective
British English
- He was wont to complain about the weather.
- They are not wont to make hasty decisions.
American English
- She was wont to take long drives on Sundays.
- The engine is wont to overheat in traffic.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- He is wont to forget his keys.
- As was her wont, she sat in the same chair every day.
- The professor, as is his academic wont, cited sources in multiple languages.
- They were wont to disregard convention, which often led to innovation.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'WONT' sounds like 'WON'T' but means the opposite—what one WILL or is ACCUSTOMED to doing.
Conceptual Metaphor
HABIT IS A PATH (one's 'wont' is a well-trodden, familiar route of behavior).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- False friend with 'не хотеть' (to not want). 'Wont' is unrelated to 'want' or willingness.
Common Mistakes
- Confusing it with 'won't' (contraction of 'will not').
- Using it in informal contexts where 'habit' or 'usually' would be more natural.
- Incorrect pronunciation rhyming with 'font'.
Practice
Quiz
What is the meaning of 'wont' in the sentence: 'She was wont to rise at dawn.'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, they are etymologically distinct. 'Wont' comes from Old English 'gewunod' (past participle of 'gewunian' meaning 'to dwell or be accustomed'), while 'want' comes from Old Norse 'vanta' (to lack).
Yes, though rare. The plural 'wonts' can refer to the collective habits or customs of a person or group.
Remember the apostrophe in 'won't' (will not). 'Wont' is a complete word without an apostrophe, primarily used in the phrase 'as is one's wont' or 'is wont to do'.
It is used, but almost exclusively in formal or literary writing. It sounds archaic or deliberately stylistic in speech.