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Added 9 October 2026

habit

/ˈhæb.ɪt/ noun

In Latin: habitus Wiktionary

noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about habit at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

An action performed on a regular basis.
It’s become a habit of mine to have a cup of coffee after dinner.
An action performed repeatedly and automatically, usually without awareness.
By force of habit, he dressed for work even though it was holiday.
An addiction.
kick the habit

verb

To clothe.
To inhabit.

noun

A long piece of clothing worn by monks and nuns.
It’s interesting how Catholic and Buddhist monks both wear habits.
A piece of clothing worn for a specific activity; a uniform.
The new riding habits of the team looked smashing!
Outward appearance; attire; dress.

Origin

From Middle English habit, from Latin habitus (“condition, bearing, state, appearance, dress, attire”), from habeō (“to have, hold, keep”). Distantly related to gift. Replaced Middle English abit, from Old French abit, itself from the same Latin source. Displaced native Old English þēaw, wuna, ġewuna, and sidu.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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