Cool MateConventional vs Customary
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Conventional
Top 2,000 (common)B2adjective
Customary
Top 3,000 (common)B1adjective
Most common: Conventional
| Conventional | Customary | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/kənˈvenʃənl/"]/🇺🇸 /["/kənˈvenʃənl/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ˈkʌstəməri//🇺🇸 //ˈkʌstəmˌɛri// |
| Meaning | Normal or traditional; following usual practices. | Something that is usual or expected. |
| Example | The company follows conventional methods of manufacturing that have been proven over decades. | It is customary to shake hands when meeting someone. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 3,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | B1 |
| Part of speech | adjective | adjective |
| Collocations | be, seem, extremely, fairly, very, be, seem, extremely, fairly, very | customary practice, customary law, customary behavior |
| Antonyms | unconventional, radical, innovative | unusual, unexpected |
| Common mistakes | 'Conventional' is sometimes confused with 'conventionally.', Learners may think it means outdated instead of traditional., Use with a noun, not as a standalone adjective. | Confusing with 'customize', which means to modify., Using 'customary' inappropriately for uncommon practices., Mixing up with 'habitual', which implies personal habits rather than societal norms. |
| Usage notes | Use 'conventional' for things that are considered usual. It's appropriate in formal writing but can be used in everyday conversation. | Use 'customary' when describing behavior or practices that are widely accepted; it’s neutral but may sound slightly formal in casual contexts. |
Frequently asked questions: Conventional vs Customary
What's the difference between Conventional and Customary?
Conventional: Normal or traditional; following usual practices. Customary: Something that is usual or expected.
Which is more common: Conventional and Customary?
Conventional is the most common in everyday English.
Are Conventional and Customary the same CEFR level?
Conventional: B2, Customary: B1 on the CEFR scale.
Can I use Conventional and Customary interchangeably?
Not always. Conventional and Customary are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.