What does custom mean? As a noun, custom means alongstanding practice of a person(such as a daily habit) or a group (such as a cultural practice). As an adjective, custom describes something made to unique specifications, especially something one of a kind. Its synonym is custom-made.
Definition ofcustomnoun in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.
CUSTOMdefinition: 1. a way of behaving or a belief that has been established for a long time: 2. something you…. Learn more.
Acustomis an activity, a way of behaving, or an event which is usual or traditional in a particular society or in particular circumstances. Thecustomof lighting the Olympic flame goes back centuries.
Apr 15, 2026 ·custom(not comparable) Made or done in a way adjusted to fit the needs of a particular person or group (e.g., customer, health care patient, do-it-yourselfer), and thus specialized and, in some cases, unique.
There are 18 meanings listed in OED's entry for the wordcustom, one of which is labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.
If something has been done a certain way for a long time and has become generally accepted, it's acustom. Asking strangers for candy on one night a year would seem strange if it weren't an establishedcustom.
