English · Word Candidate

customary

/ˈkʌs.tə.m(ə.)ɹi/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: customaries

Sense 1

Meaning · English

In accordance with, or established by, custom or common usage.

Adjective

Examples

At half-past nine on this Saturday evening, the parlour of the Salutation Inn, High Holborn, contained most of its customary visitors.[…]In former days every tavern of repute kept such a room for its own select circle, a club, or society, of habitués, who met every evening, for a pipe and a cheerful

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

Holding or held by custom.

Adjective

Examples

customary tenants

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Meaning · English

A book containing laws and usages, or customs; a custumal.

Noun

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “customary” mean?

In accordance with, or established by, custom or common usage.

Is “customary” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.