customary

/ˈkʌstəməri/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈkʌstəmeri/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈkə-stə-ˌmer-ē -ˌme-rē/ (ame, mw)

customary — adjective

  • customarypositive
  • more customarycomparative
  • most customarysuperlative

1. Something that is customary is what people typically do or expect in a particula

1.形容詞B2
釋義

Something that is customary is what people typically do or expect in a particular situation because it has become the normal and accepted way of behaving there, even if it is not based on a written rule.

例句

It is customary for the Tuan family to gather for dinner every Sunday evening.

it is customary for + noun + to-infinitive

Ravindra gave a short speech, as is customary at company retirement parties.

as is customary (adverbial clause)

同義詞
  • usual

    more general and neutral; can describe both social norms and personal routines

  • standard

    emphasises an expected norm or benchmark that people follow

  • conventional

    suggests something is done because it is widely accepted, often with a slight formality

反義詞
  • unusual

    something that does not normally happen or is not expected

  • rare

    happening very infrequently, not part of the normal pattern

文法句型

it is customary + to-infinitive

it is customary for + noun + to-infinitive

customary + noun

用法筆記

Often used in the impersonal construction 'It is customary (for someone) to do something', especially when describing social etiquette or common practice in a particular culture or group.

常見錯誤

❌It is habitual to bow when meeting elders in Japan.
✅It is customary to bow when meeting elders in Japan.
💡'habitual' describes an individual's repeated actions, while 'customary' refers to shared social norms.

2. Something that is customary in this sense is a long-established tradition, ritua

2.形容詞B2
釋義

Something that is customary in this sense is a long-established tradition, ritual, or inherited right that a community or culture has followed for many generations.

例句

The villagers performed the customary dance to celebrate the harvest season.

Among local Māori iwi, the customary right to gather pāua has been recognised for generations.

collocation: customary right

同義詞
  • traditional

    more common in everyday use; strongly implies a long cultural history

  • established

    focuses on something being well-known, accepted, and firmly in place

  • conventional

    emphasises conformity to widely accepted standards or practices

反義詞
  • modern

    belonging to the present time, not rooted in old customs

  • innovative

    introducing new ideas or methods rather than following tradition

文法句型

customary + noun

用法筆記

Typically appears before a noun describing a long-standing tradition, ritual, or legal entitlement. Less common than sense 1 in everyday conversation, but frequent in legal, anthropological, and ceremonial contexts.

常見錯誤

❌The team followed their customary strategy of fast passes and long shots.' (vague modern practice).
✅The tribe performed the customary harvest ritual, as their ancestors had done for centuries.
💡In sense 2, 'customary' emphasises tradition with deep historical roots, not just any repeated action.