Speakur

Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

customs

/ˈkʌs.təmz/

Word Rarity Uncommon

Frequency: 4.19 in modern English

Syllables
cus-toms
IPA
/ˈkʌs.təmz/
11
Scrabble Score
7
Letters
2
Syllables
6
Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

The duties or taxes imposed on imported or exported goods.

Countable; Uncountable

noun

The government department or agency that is authorised to collect the taxes imposed on imported goods.

Uncountable

noun

The process of going through customs checks at a border checkpoint.

Countable; Uncountable

noun

The location at a border checkpoint where customs checks are carried out.

Countable; Uncountable

noun

plural of custom

verb

third-person singular simple present indicative of custom

Example Sentences

Etymology

Plural of custom. Perhaps influenced by or taken as a corruption of customhouse, from Middle English custome hous.

Origin

Word Breakdown

Usage

Derived Forms

customhouse customshouse noncustoms

Phrases

Custom House customs and excise customs clearance customs declaration customs duty customs house customs officer customs post

Synonyms

customs duty custom impost

Questions

How do you pronounce customs?
The recorded pronunciation is /ˈkʌs.təmz/.
What does customs mean?
The duties or taxes imposed on imported or exported goods.
Where does customs come from?
It is traced to Middle English.

How to pronounce customs

  1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “customs”.
  2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈkʌs.təmz/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
  3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “customs”.
  4. Repeat and practice — Say “customs” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.