Habitual

Podcast 1 · Introduction

Habitual

A documentary-style narration: origin, meaning, and feel.

Part of speech

adjective

Pronunciation

huh-BICH-oo-ul  /həˈbɪtʃuəl/

Definition

Done regularly and repeatedly as a habit; characterised by habitual behaviour; (of a person) doing something constantly or regularly as a habit.

Plain meaning

Habitual means done by habit — regularly repeated until it becomes automatic. A habitual action is one performed so routinely that it no longer requires conscious decision. A habitual offender is someone who commits offences as a matter of regular practice.

Register

Neutral to slightly formal. Habitual is used across legal, psychological, and everyday contexts. The habitual liar, the habitual criminal, the habitual late-comer carry slightly negative connotations. The habitual reader, the habitual early riser carry neutral or positive ones. The word's register depends entirely on what follows it.