Habit, Custom, Practice, Routine

Habit, Custom, Practice, Routine: What’s the Difference?

Hello English learners! Today, we’re going to look at three words that seem very similar—habit, custom, practice, routine—but are actually used in different ways. Understanding these words will help you speak more naturally and avoid confusion in exams such as FCE, CAE, or IELTS.

Let’s explore them one by one.

Habit

A habit is something a person does regularly, often without thinking about it. Habits are personal and connected to behaviour. They can be good or bad.

Key points about “habit”:

• Usually individual (belongs to a person).
• Repeated action, often automatic.
• Can be hard to change once formed.

Examples:

• She has a habit of biting her nails when she’s nervous.
• Drinking tea in the morning is one of my daily habits.
• He’s trying to break the habit of smoking.
• Reading before bed is a healthy habit.

Tip: Use “get into the habit of” for forming habits, and “break a habit” for stopping them.

Habit, Custom, Practice, Routine

Custom

A custom is a traditional way of doing things in a society, community, or culture. Customs are shared by groups of people rather than individuals.

Key points about “custom”:

• Connected with culture, tradition, or social behaviour.
• Passed down over generations.
• Often linked with celebrations, dress, greetings, or rituals.

Examples:

• In many countries, it’s a custom to shake hands when you meet someone.
• Taking off your shoes before entering a home is a common custom in Japan.
• Celebrating New Year with fireworks is an old custom.
• Christmas customs vary from country to country.

Tip: Think “cultural tradition” when you hear “custom.”

Habit, Custom, Practice, Routine

Practice

A practice has two main meanings:

• A way of doing something that is common in a profession or group.
• The act of repeating an activity to improve your skill.

Key points about “practice” (meaning 1 – behaviour/routine):

• Often linked to professional or social behaviour.
• Describes accepted methods or procedures.

Examples:

• It’s common practice to tip waiters in the US.
• Doctors should avoid unsafe medical practices.
• In business, it’s good practice to reply to emails within 24 hours.

Key points about “practice” (meaning 2 – training to get better):

• It means “repeated exercise” to develop skill.
• It is often used in sports, music, or language learning.

Examples:

• If you want to improve your English, daily practice is essential.
• She spends an hour every evening practising the piano.
• “Practice makes perfect,” as the saying goes.

Tip: In British English, practice is the noun, and practise is the verb. (In American English, both are “practice.”)

Habit, Custom, Practice, Routine

Routine

A routine is a fixed order of actions you regularly follow in daily life. It’s similar to a habit, but usually refers to a sequence of activities, not just one.

Key points about “routine”:

• Refers to regular and organised set of actions.
• It is more formal than “habit.”
• It can be daily, weekly, or work-related.

Examples:

• Mary’s morning routine includes stretching, showering, and drinking coffee.
• Our children follow a strict bedtime routine.
• Exercise should be part of your daily routine.
• Expressions: daily routine, morning routine, fall into a routine, stick to a routine

Habit, Custom, Practice, Routine

Comparison chart

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