Definition of HABIT

habit

Plural: habits

Noun

  • an established custom
    • "it was their habit to dine at 7 every evening"
  • (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"
  • a distinctive attire worn by a member of a religious order
  • the general form or mode of growth (especially of a plant or crystal)
    • "a shrub of spreading habit"
  • attire that is typically worn by a horseback rider (especially a woman's attire)
  • excessive use of drugs
  • An action performed on a regular basis.
  • An action performed repeatedly and automatically, usually without awareness.
  • An addiction.
  • A long piece of clothing worn by monks and nuns.
  • A piece of clothing worn for a specific activity; a uniform.
  • Outward appearance; attire; dress.
  • Form of growth or general appearance and structure of a plant or crystal.

Verb

Verb Forms: habited, habiting, habits

  • To clothe or dress someone or something in a particular garment.
  • put a habit on
  • To clothe.
  • To inhabit.

Examples

  • By force of habit, he dressed for work even though it was holiday.
  • He has a 10-cigar habit.
  • It’s become a habit of mine to have a cup of coffee after dinner.
  • It’s interesting how Catholic and Buddhist monks both wear habits.
  • kick the habit
  • She loved to HABIT her favorite letters with prefixes and suffixes for maximum points.
  • The new riding habits of the team looked smashing!

Origin / Etymology

From Middle English habit, from Latin habitus (“condition, bearing, state, appearance, dress, attire”), from habeō (“I have, hold, keep”). Distantly related to gift. Replaced Middle English abit, from Old French abit, itself from the same Latin source. Displaced native Old English þēaw.

Synonyms

drug abuse, riding habit, substance abuse, use, wont, ritual, routine

Scrabble Score: 10

habit: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
habit: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
habit: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 10

habit: valid Words With Friends Word