habit
habit
Pronunciation
habit /ˈhæbɪt/
hab-: /ˈhæb/ - Consists of the voiceless glottal fricative /h/, the near-open front unrounded vowel /æ/, and the voiced bilabial plosive /b/.
-it: /ɪt/ - Consists of the near-close near-front unrounded vowel /ɪ/, and the voiceless alveolar plosive /t/.
Word Form Variations
Singular Noun: habit
Plural Noun: habits
Verb (transitive, less common than "habituate"): habit
Verb (present participle, less common): habiting
Verb (past tense/past participle, less common): habited
Adjective: habitual
Adverb: habitually
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Definition 1: A regular and repeated behavior, often performed unconsciously, that is acquired through frequent repetition.
Synonyms: custom, routine, practice, pattern, tendency, wont
Antonyms: irregularity, deviation, anomaly, novelty, peculiarity
Definition 2: The distinctive attire worn by members of a religious order, such as monks or nuns.
Synonyms: attire, dress, robe, garment, costume, garb
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms for this specific meaning, as it refers to a type of clothing)
Verb (transitive)
Definition 1 (Less Common): To clothe or dress someone, especially in a specific type of attire or costume (often referring to a religious habit).
Synonyms: clothe, attire, dress, garb, bedeck
Antonyms: disrobe, undress, strip, divest
Adjective (derived from habit)
Definition: Done or doing constantly or as a habit; customary.
Example: "His habitual tardiness was becoming a problem."
Synonyms: customary, routine, regular, usual, ingrained, established
Antonyms: unusual, unaccustomed, infrequent, irregular, novel
Adverb (derived from habitual)
Definition: In a habitual manner; as a matter of habit.
Example: "He habitually arrived late to meetings."
Synonyms: customarily, routinely, regularly, usually, typically, constantly
Antonyms: unusually, infrequently, irregularly, rarely, exceptionally
Examples of Use
Books:
"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit." (Aristotle, The Nicomachean Ethics, widely quoted and attributed) - This classic philosophical text emphasizes the profound impact of consistent actions on character.
"The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" (Stephen Covey, Book Title, 1989) - This best-selling self-help book centers entirely on the concept of developing productive habits for personal and professional success.
"It was an old habit of his to check the lock three times before leaving the house." (Fictional narrative, commonly found in mystery or character-driven novels)
Newspapers:
"The city council is considering a new initiative to encourage residents to adopt greener habits, such as recycling and reducing water consumption." (The Daily Nation )
"Economists are observing a shift in consumer spending habits as inflation continues to impact household budgets." (The Wall Street Journal )
Online Publications:
"Breaking bad habits can be challenging, but psychological research offers several effective strategies for sustainable change." (PsychologyToday.com, recent article on behavioral science)
"5 Morning Habits of Successful Entrepreneurs" (Forbes.com, recent business advice article)
"Online gaming habits among teenagers have increased significantly since the pandemic, raising concerns about screen time and addiction." (TechCrunch.com, recent technology and social impact article)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Television Series (Dialogue): "You know, it's a terrible habit of mine, but I always leave my keys in the door." (Common dialogue in sitcoms or dramas to highlight character quirks or plot points)
Film (Plot Point): In a redemption story, a character might struggle to break a destructive habit like gambling or substance abuse, forming a central conflict of the film. (e.g., Flight starring Denzel Washington)
Podcasts (Self-Improvement): "Today, we're diving deep into how to cultivate healthy sleep habits for better well-being." (Common topic on health and wellness podcasts)
Music (Lyrics): "Old habits die hard, I guess I'll never change." (Common lyrical theme in country, blues, or pop songs exploring personal struggle and repetition)
Video Games (Mechanics): Many role-playing games (RPGs) feature systems where repeated actions or choices can lead to the development of "character habits" or "perks/flaws" that influence gameplay. (e.g., Fallout series' perk system, where certain actions lead to specific advantages or disadvantages)
General Public Discourse:
"I'm trying to get into the habit of exercising every morning." (Everyday conversation about personal goals)
"That's just a bad habit he picked up from his friends." (Casual observation about someone's behavior)
"It's a good habit to save a little money from each paycheck." (Advice given about financial responsibility)
"Her new habit of wearing vibrant colors has really brightened up her wardrobe." (Referring to the second definition of "habit" as a distinct item of clothing, though less common in general modern discourse for everyday wear unless referring to religious garments)
"The monks wear a traditional brown habit." (Referring to the religious garment, common in discussions about religious orders)
10 Famous Quotes Using Habit
"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit." (Aristotle)
"Sow a thought and you reap an act; sow an act and you reap a habit; sow a habit and you reap a character; sow a character and you reap a destiny." (Charles Reade, often attributed to Ralph Waldo Emerson or Stephen Covey)
"The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People." (Stephen Covey, Book Title)
"Chains of habit are too light to be felt until they are too heavy to be broken." (Samuel Johnson)
"Nothing is stronger than habit." (Ovid)
"Good habits are worth being fanatical about." (John Irving)
"First, we make our habits, then our habits make us." (John Dryden)
"Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going." (Jim Ryun)
"The habit of doing more than is paid for is the shortest road to success." (Napoleon Hill)
"Cultivate only the habits that you are willing should master you." (Elbert Hubbard)
Etymology
The word "habit" has a pretty interesting journey through language! It ultimately comes from Latin, but it took a few detours to get to its current meanings in English.
At its core, "habit" comes from the Latin word habere, which means "to have" or "to hold." From habere came the Latin noun habitus, which meant "condition," "state of being," "demeanor," or even "dress" or "appearance." Think of it as "what you have" or "how you hold yourself."
When "habit" first arrived in English, around the 13th century, it came from the Old French word habit (which itself came from the Latin habitus). The first known meaning in English was primarily about clothing or attire, especially the special clothes worn by members of religious orders like monks or nuns. So, a "nun's habit" referred to her specific uniform.
Over time, the meaning of "habit" began to shift and expand. Because clothing often reflects a person's status or role, the word started to be used for someone's general "bearing" or "conduct." From there, it wasn't a huge leap to the idea of a "customary practice" or "usual mode of action," which is the most common meaning we use today – something you do regularly, often without thinking much about it. This shift to meaning "repeated behavior" started to become common around the early 14th century.
So, in a nutshell: "Habit" started with the idea of "having" or "holding" a certain "condition" or "appearance" (like a type of clothing), and then evolved to mean the "condition" of regularly "holding" onto certain behaviors or practices.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Habit
Here's a list of phrases and idioms using "habit":
Break a habit: To stop doing something that has become a regular practice, especially a bad one.
Get into the habit (of something): To start doing something regularly.
Be in the habit (of doing something): To regularly do something.
Force of habit: An action done without conscious thought, simply because one has done it many times before.
Old habits die hard: It is difficult to stop doing things that one has been doing for a long time.
A creature of habit: Someone who prefers to do the same things in the same way, and dislikes change.
From long habit: Due to doing something for a very long time.
To make a habit of (something): To regularly or intentionally do something.
Bad habit: A detrimental or undesirable regular practice.
Good habit: A beneficial or desirable regular practice.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of habit from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
