Habit
UK /["/ˈhæbɪt/"]/US /["/ˈhæbɪt/"]/
Definition
a thing that you do often and almost without thinking, especially something that is hard to stop doing
In simple words: Something you do regularly, often without thinking.
Examples
- Having a morning routine can help you develop a positive habit.
- It's important to break a bad habit before it becomes difficult to change.
- She has a habit of reading before bed every night.
- Many people try to form a healthy habit by exercising regularly.
- A habit can be something small, like drinking water after waking up.
Usage notes
Use 'habit' in everyday conversation when talking about actions people do automatically. Avoid in highly formal writing where 'practice' may be more appropriate.
Grammar pattern
countable noun
Memory hint
Think of a 'habitat' where animals live by their habits.
Collocations
- annoying
- antisocial
- bad
- be in
- have
- acquire
- change
- by habit
- from habit
- out of habit
- a creature of habit
- force of habit
- the habit of a lifetime
- annoying
- antisocial
- bad
- be in
- have
- acquire
- change
- by habit
- from habit
- out of habit
- a creature of habit
- force of habit
- the habit of a lifetime
- annoying
- antisocial
- bad
- be in
- have
- acquire
- change
- by habit
- from habit
- out of habit
- a creature of habit
- force of habit
- the habit of a lifetime
Synonyms
- routine
- custom
- practice
- pattern
- tradition
Antonyms
- irregularity
- disorder
- chaos
Common mistakes
- 'Habit' used as a verb instead of a noun.
- Confusing 'habit' with 'hobby'.
- 'Habits' treated as singular instead of plural.