habitual
adjective
ha·bit·u·al
hə-ˈbi-ch(ə-)wəl 
ha-,
-ˈbi-chəl
1
2
: regularly or repeatedly doing, practicing, or acting in some manner : doing something by force of habit
habitual drunkards
a habitual liar
3
: resorted to on a regular basis
our habitual diet
4
: inherent in an individual
habitual grace
habitually
adverb
habitualness
noun
Examples of habitual in a Sentence
He was fired for his habitual lateness.
They went for their habitual evening walk.
Recent Examples on the Web
Murrill’s office also invoked the habitual offenders statute, where criminal defendants can be tagged as habitual offenders after a fourth felony charge, according to Louisiana law, and face longer prison sentences.
—
Pj Green
july 18, Kansas City Star, 18 July 2025
Critical thinking is the capacity to step outside habitual models and mental shortcuts.
—Tima Bansal, Forbes.com, 18 July 2025
The worst communication habit Lurie observed is reflexive defensiveness: an immediate, habitual tendency to become defensive at the slightest hint of criticism, even when the other person’s feedback is valid.
—Angela Haupt, Time, 14 July 2025
Other agents had dismissed Weinberg as a habitual liar looking to pare down his prison sentence, but Fuller saw potential.
—Longreads, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for habitual
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Pj Green
july 18, Kansas City Star, 18 July 2025
Critical thinking is the capacity to step outside habitual models and mental shortcuts.
—Tima Bansal, Forbes.com, 18 July 2025
The worst communication habit Lurie observed is reflexive defensiveness: an immediate, habitual tendency to become defensive at the slightest hint of criticism, even when the other person’s feedback is valid.
—Angela Haupt, Time, 14 July 2025
Other agents had dismissed Weinberg as a habitual liar looking to pare down his prison sentence, but Fuller saw potential.
—Longreads, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for habitual
Cite this Entry
“Habitual.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/habitual. Accessed 23 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
habitual
adjective
ha·bit·u·al
hə-ˈbich-(ə-)wəl
ha-
1
: being or done by habit
habitual tardiness
2
: doing or acting out of habit
habitual talkers
3
: done, followed, or used often or regularly
took our habitual path
habitually
adverb
-ē
habitualness
noun
Medical Definition
habitual
adjective
ha·bit·u·al
hə-ˈbich-(ə-)wəl, ha-, -ˈbich-əl
1
: having the nature of a habit : being in accordance with habit
habitual smoking
2
: doing, practicing, or acting in some manner by force of habit
habitual liars
Legal Definition
habitual
adjective
ha·bit·u·al
hə-ˈbi-chə-wəl
1
: practicing or acting in some manner by force of custom, habit, or addiction
a habitual drunkard
2
: being such a specified number of times or with designated regularity
habitual offenders
3
: involved in the practice of a person's usual behavior
her habitual residence
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share