habit
/ˈhæb.ɪt/
Word Rarity
Uncommon
Frequency: 4.24 in modern English
10
Scrabble Score
5
Letters
2
Syllables
5
Unique Chars
Meaning
noun
An action performed repeatedly and automatically, usually without awareness.
Countable; Uncountable
Example Sentences
- "It’s become a habit of mine to have a cup of coffee after dinner."
- "I really need to get into the habit of writing down what I spend."
- "a man of very shy, retired habits"
- "Irregular bedtimes may disrupt healthy brain development in young children, according to a study of intelligence and sleeping habits. ¶ Going to bed at a different time each night affected girls more than boys, but both fared worse on mental tasks than children who had a set bedtime, researchers found."
- "By force of habit, he dressed for work even though it was holiday."
- "kick the habit"
Etymology
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.