habit

/ˈhæbət/

/ˈhæbɪt/

Other forms: habits; habited; habiting

Any action that you perform regularly as part of your routine can be called a habit. Flossing your teeth would be considered a good habit. Sucking your thumb would be considered a bad habit, especially as an adult.

On New Year's people always vow to break their bad habits, but bad habits die hard. The noun habit can also refer to an established custom — like the habit of breaking bread with your family every holiday. On a completely different note, clothing that is worn for horseback riding, or by a nun or monk, can also be called a habit. All good nuns should be in the habit of washing their habits.

Definitions of habit

1. noun

   an established custom
   “it was their habit to dine at 7 every evening”

   synonyms: wont

   type of:

   custom, tradition

   a specific practice of long standing
2. noun

   the general form or mode of growth (especially of a plant or crystal)
   “a shrub of spreading habit”

   type of:

   development, growing, growth, maturation, ontogenesis, ontogeny

   (biology) the process of an individual organism growing organically; a purely biological unfolding of events involved in an organism changing gradually from a simple to a more complex level
3. noun

   excessive use of drugs
   synonyms: drug abuse, substance abuse

   types:

   alcohol abuse, alcoholic abuse, alcoholism abuse

   excessive use of alcohol and alcoholic drinks

   type of:

   abuse, misuse

   improper or excessive use
4. noun

   (psychology) an automatic pattern of behavior in reaction to a specific situation; may be inherited or acquired through frequent repetition
   “owls have nocturnal habits”

   “she had a habit twirling the ends of her hair”

   synonyms: use

   types:

   ritual

   stereotyped behavior

   second nature

   acquired behavior that is practiced so long it seems innate

   cleanliness

   the habit of keeping free of superficial imperfections

   type of:

   custom, usage, usance

   accepted or habitual practice
5. noun

   a distinctive attire worn by a member of a religious order
   types:

   frock

   a habit worn by clerics

   monastic habit

   a long loose habit worn by monks in a monastery

   nun's habit

   a long loose habit worn by nuns in a convent

   type of:

   attire, dress, garb

   clothing of a distinctive style or for a particular occasion
6. noun

   attire that is typically worn by a horseback rider (especially a woman's attire)
   synonyms: riding habit

   type of:

   attire, dress, garb

   clothing of a distinctive style or for a particular occasion
7. verb

   put a habit on
   type of:

   apparel, clothe, dress, enclothe, fit out, garb, garment, habilitate, raiment, tog

   provide with clothes or put clothes on