habits - Master This Word
Master this word with our 5-step learning method – Learn English in English
habits Word Meanings
- a regular practice or routine
- something done by a person frequently
- an acquired behavior pattern
habits Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
habits Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/ˈhæbɪt/
US
/ˈhæbɪt/
habits Word Etymology
From 'habitus' (Latin) meaning 'having', from 'habere' (to have) + 'it' (suffix indicating condition); Origin: Latin → Old French → English. Imagine a creature stuck in a routine – its movements so predictable, it's like a pattern drawn in sand.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputEnglish Brain Route
I reach for the morning mug and place it on the desk, my fingers finding the familiar grip. Steam climbs, I take a careful sip, and I push myself to do the same routine again tomorrow. With each day I notice a small shift in focus, deciding to hold steady as the same sequence repeats. The motion becomes a quiet anchor, a way to keep control of the morning until it turns into a habit.
Real Context
Habit is a regular practice or pattern of behavior that you do often, almost automatically, in daily life. It can describe routines you intentionally cultivate, like a morning workout or a bedtime ritual, or familiar tendencies that emerge from repeated actions. People often talk about developing a habit of reading before bed, breaking a bad habit, or forming a healthy habit. The word also covers broader behavioral patterns that become stable over time, not just a one-off action. Behavior shaped by habit can save cognitive effort, but it can also trap you if the pattern is unhealthy. Think of a pattern that repeats until it feels almost instinctual.
Usage Reminders
- Use habit for regular routines, not single actions.
- Pair habit with of or doing to describe what you regularly do.
- Differentiate habit from custom or tradition.
- Note that some habits are hard to change, but they can be changed with effort.
- Common collocations: have a habit of, form a habit, break a habit.
Common Misconceptions
- Habits are always good
- A habit is the same as a tradition
- Habits are fixed and cannot be changed
- A habit must be a conscious routine
- A habit is not related to emotions
Thinking Differences
For English speakers, habit is a concrete behavioral pattern that can be formed intentionally or emerges from repetition; it often carries a moral undertone in daily life and collocates with of doing. Learners may confuse it with custom or personality traits.
Learning Tips
- Observe your daily routines to spot repeating actions
- Keep a habit journal for 21 days
- Pair new habits with existing routines
- Use reminders to support habit formation
- Chunk learning into small, repeatable steps
- Practice breaking a habit with a concrete plan
5-Step Learning Method - Learn English in English
Step 1: Meaning
What is the meaning of 'habits'?
A.Something that you do occasionally
B.A regular practice or routine
C.An event that happens by accident
D.Something you do only once
Step 2: Usage
Choose the sentence where 'habits' is used correctly.
A.Her habits include going for a run every month.
B.He broke his habits during the holiday.
C.They have developed successful habits to keep fit.
D.The habits of the movie were very entertaining.
Step 3: Similar Words
Which word is most similar to 'habits'?
A.Routines
B.Injuries
C.Outcomes
D.Opinions
Step 4: Opposite Words
What is the opposite of 'habits'?
A.Consistency
B.Randomness
C.Purpose
D.Control
Step 5: Mastery
Can you think of a real-life scenario that involves changing certain practices or behaviors over time?
A.She once visited a foreign country.
B.He decided to start exercising regularly after New Year.
C.They always eat dessert after dinner.
D.Finding new hobbies can be refreshing.
Related Listening
🌱 Lite (Beginner)
🔥 Advanced
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