money collected under a tariff
"The new trade agreement increased our shipping costs because the government raised the custom on imported electronics."
Frequent repetition of the same behavior; way of behavior common to many; ordinary manner; habitual practice; method of doing, living or behaving.
"The old factory still follows its custom of holding a quiet moment for reflection before each shift begins."
In plain English: A custom is a habit that a group of people do regularly because it is traditional for them.
"Our family has a custom of eating together every Thanksgiving."
Usage: Use "custom" as a noun to describe a traditional habit or practice shared by a group of people, such as a holiday ritual or social norm. Avoid confusing it with "costume," which refers specifically to clothing worn for special occasions.
To make familiar; to accustom.
"It took him several weeks of daily practice to custom his fingers to playing the violin without pain."
In plain English: To custom something means to change it so it fits your specific needs or tastes.
"The store will custom build the suit to your exact measurements."
Usage: Use the verb custom only when you mean to make someone or something accustomed to a specific condition through gradual exposure. In modern English, this usage is rare and often sounds formal or archaic compared to simply saying "accustom" or "get used to."
made according to the specifications of an individual
"The tailor created a custom suit based on my exact measurements."
Created under particular specifications, specially to fit one's needs: specialized, unique, custom-made.
"They ordered a suit that was tailored from scratch to their exact measurements for a perfect fit."
In plain English: Custom means something that is made especially for someone instead of being ready for everyone to buy.
"The store offers custom-made furniture for every customer."
Usage: Use "custom" as an adjective to describe items made specifically to meet an individual's unique requirements rather than being mass-produced. It often appears before nouns like "fitted," "tailored," or "made" to emphasize that the object was designed for a particular person or purpose.
The word custom comes from the Latin consuētūdinem, which originally described a state of being accustomed to something through repeated use. It entered English via Anglo-Norman in Middle English, carrying with it the sense of habitual practice that defines its modern meaning.