C1adjectivepsychologysociety
US/həˈbɪtʃ.u.əl/
UK/həˈbɪtʃ.u.əl/
done regularly or often, usually without thinking, and hard to stop
In context
He is a habitual latecomer, so the team now starts meetings without him.
Habitual checking of email can make it hard to focus on real work.
The airline fined the habitual offenders who ignored the baggage rules.
Words that go with habitual
adjective + noun
- habitual offenderA habitual offender may face a heavier fine.
- habitual behaviorHabitual behavior is hard to change overnight.
- habitual liarNobody trusts a habitual liar for long.
- habitual responseSaying yes was his habitual response to every request.
- habitual useThe habitual use of phones in class was banned.
verb + adjective
- become habitualWorking late has become habitual for the whole department.
Common mistakes
Incorrect:
habitual of drinking coffeeCorrect: in the habit of drinking coffee