custom

KUS-tuhm/ˈkʌstəm/

Noun pluralcustoms

13 meanings of custom

Practice

1
made to orderadjective
Made specially to fit one person's or group's needs, not the same as everything else.
Like a suit sewn to fit only you, not bought off a shelf.
They ordered a custom wheelchair built for his exact size.
The bakery makes custom cakes for any occasion.
UsageComes before a noun: a custom cake. You can also say custom-made.
Similarbespoke
Oppositestandard, generic
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2
traditionnouncountable or uncountable
Something a person or group usually does, often for a long time, as a habit or tradition.
Like singing the same special song every year on a holiday.
Local custom requires the bride to wear red on her wedding day.
Many holiday customs come from very old religious practices.
UsageA custom is usually shared by a group. For your own routine, habit is more common.
Similartradition, practice, convention, habit, ritual
3
duty (tax)nounarchaicuncountable
A tax, toll, or payment owed to a ruler or lord.
Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.
1769, Bible, Authorised King James VersionHere, custom means a tax or fee owed to the ruler.
Note
4
accepted rulenouncountable or uncountable
A long-followed practice that acts like a law because people have always accepted it.
Like a rule everyone follows just because it has always been that way.
In that village, custom gives fishing rights to the oldest families.
Local custom, not written rules, decided who could use the well.
Similarusage
Note
5
made-to-order itemnouncountable or uncountable
A piece of art or other item made to order for one buyer.
Like a one-of-a-kind toy made just for you instead of one from the store.
He paid extra for a custom rather than a stock model.
The shop is known for its hand-painted customs.
UsageUsed mostly by artists and collectors: order a custom. Otherwise, say a custom order.
Note

Less common meanings

6
regular buyersnounUKcollectivecountable or uncountable
The regular business that customers give to a shop, or those customers as a group.
Like the regular friends who always come to your lemonade stand.
The pub's custom came mostly from local workers.
A friendly welcome brings in more custom.
UsageShops lose custom or bring in custom: their customers.
Similarbusiness, patronage, trade, clientele
Note
7
for hireadjective
Done as paid work for other people, not just for yourself.
Like mowing other people's lawns for money, not just your own yard.
The farmer does custom harvesting for neighbors who lack machines.
They offer custom plowing to small farms each spring.
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8
usualadjectivearchaic
Usual or expected, happening the way it normally does.
Note
9
nounobsoletecountable or uncountable
Close knowledge of someone that comes from spending lots of time together.
Age can not wither her, nor custom stale Her infinite variety.
c. 1606, William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Anthonie and Cleopatra”Here, custom means being used to someone from spending lots of time with them.
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10
verbobsoleteintransitive
To have a habit of doing something, or a regular way of doing it.
For on a Bridge he cuſtometh to fight, / Which is but narrow, but exceeding long; / And in the ſame are many trap fals pight, / Through which the rider downe doth fall through ouerſight.
1596, Edmund Spenser, The Faerie QueeneHere, custometh means has a habit of doing something regularly.
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11
verbobsoletetransitive
To make someone used to something over time.
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12
verbobsoletetransitive
To bring customers to a shop or business.
But yet a man might reply, that if a Shooemaker ſhould haue no Shooes in his Shoppe, but onely worke, as hee is beſpoken, hee ſhould bee weakley cuſtomed.
1605, Francis Bacon, “The Second Booke”Here, customed means supplied with customers.
Note
13
verbobsoletetransitive
To pay the tax owed on goods.
Barabas, thy ships are safe, Riding in Malta Rhode; and all the merchants With other merchandize are safe arriv'd, And have sent me to know whether yourself Will come and custom them.
c. 1589, Christopher Marlo[we], The Famous Tragedy of the Rich Iew of Malta.Here, custom means to pay the taxes owed on goods.
Note

More uses

customstaxes on goods brought into a country, or the officers who check them

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of custom apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origin

It came through Middle English and Anglo-Norman from Latin, based on words meaning "with" and "become used to." The adjective use began around 1830.

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 3 facts

The word came through Middle English and Anglo-Norman from Latin. en.wiktionary.org
Its Latin components mean 'with' and 'become used to'. en.wiktionary.org
The adjective use began around 1830. en.wiktionary.org