Usage vs. Custom — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on November 7, 2023
Usage is the act of using something; custom is a traditional practice.
Difference Between Usage and Custom
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Usage refers to the way in which a word or phrase is used in language, or the act of using something in a particular situation. Custom, however, denotes a traditional practice or habitual action, often within a particular community or culture. Usage can change and adapt over time, while customs are passed down through generations.
In linguistics, usage is the manner in which language is utilized to communicate effectively. It's about the choices of words, grammar, and style. Custom pertains to the collective habits or traditions of a group, such as holiday celebrations or wedding ceremonies, which are less about communication and more about practice.
The usage of an object can imply the frequency and manner in which it is employed, like the usage of a tool or application. Custom relates to the ingrained behaviors and practices that define social norms and expectations, like shaking hands upon meeting someone.
When discussing technology, usage often relates to how a device or software is operated. In contrast, custom can refer to modifications or personalized settings within technology that cater to individual preferences, influenced by the broader sense of cultural or communal habits.
Usage is an important aspect of societal functionality, affecting everything from language to technology. Custom is equally significant, representing the shared identity and heritage of a community. Both are learned behaviors, but usage is more about utility, while custom is about tradition.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
The act of using something or how it's used
A traditional practice or habitual action
Change over Time
Can change with trends and innovation
Generally stable, with slow evolution
Context
Individual or societal behavior
Social or cultural tradition
Scope
Can be personal or communal
Often communal and passed down
Examples
Language usage, tool usage
Holidays, wedding customs
Compare with Definitions
Usage
Frequency of use
Her usage of the car varies depending on the season.
Custom
A traditional practice
It is a local custom to give bread and salt to new neighbors.
Usage
The action of using something
The usage of plastic bags has decreased due to environmental concerns.
Custom
Habitual patronage
She has a custom of visiting the same café every morning.
Usage
A usual, habitual, or accepted practice
Manners and other social usages.
Custom
Long-established practice
Custom dictates that the family gathers for dinner on Sundays.
Usage
The action of using something or the fact of being used
The usage of equipment
A survey of water usage
Custom
A traditional and widely accepted way of behaving or doing something that is specific to a particular society, place, or time
Custom demanded that a person should have gifts for the child
The old English custom of dancing round the maypole
Usage
The act, manner, or amount of using; use
Patterns of computer usage.
An instrument that measures water usage.
Custom
Regular dealings with a shop or business by customers
If you keep me waiting, I will take my custom elsewhere
Usage
The act or manner of treating; treatment
Subjected the car to rough usage.
Custom
Made or done to order; custom-made
A custom guitar
Usage
Habitual or accepted practice
Customs that have faded from common usage.
Custom
A traditional practice or usual way of doing something followed by a social group or people.
Usage
The way in which words or phrases are actually used, spoken, or written in a speech community
"Dictionaries are but the depositories of words already legitimated by usage" (Thomas Jefferson).
Custom
The tradition or body of such practices
The respect that is by custom accorded to the king.
Usage
A particular expression in speech or writing
A nonce usage.
Custom
A habitual practice of a person
My custom of reading a little before sleep.
Usage
Habit, practice.
Custom
Habitual manner or practice
I am not by custom a coffee drinker.
Usage
A custom or established practice.
Custom
(Law) A common tradition or usage so long established that it has the force or validity of law.
Usage
(uncountable) Custom, tradition.
Custom
Habitual patronage, as of a store
Tried to obtain the custom of the wealthiest shoppers.
Usage
Utilization.
Custom
Duties or taxes imposed on imported and, less commonly, exported goods.
Usage
The act of using something; use, employment.
Custom
(used with a sing. verb) The governmental agency authorized to collect these duties.
Usage
The established custom of using language; the ways and contexts in which spoken and written words are used, especially by a certain group of people or in a certain region.
Custom
(used with a sing. verb) The place where goods and baggage entering a country are inspected by this agency
Go through customs.
Usage
Action towards someone; treatment, especially in negative sense.
Custom
Tribute, service, or rent paid by a feudal tenant to a lord.
Usage
The act of using; mode of using or treating; treatment; conduct with respect to a person or a thing; as, good usage; ill usage; hard usage.
My brotherIs prisoner to the bishop here, at whose handsHe hath good usage and great liberty.
Custom
Made to order
Custom suits.
Usage
Manners; conduct; behavior.
A gentle nymph was found,Hight Astery, excelling all the crewIn courteous usage.
Custom
Specializing in the making or selling of made-to-order goods
A custom tailor.
Usage
Long-continued practice; customary mode of procedure; custom; habitual use; method.
It has now been, during many years, the grave and decoroususage of Parliaments to hear, in respectful silence, all expressions, acceptable or unacceptable, which are uttered from the throne.
Custom
Frequent repetition of the same behavior; way of behavior common to many; ordinary manner; habitual practice; method of doing, living or behaving.
Usage
Customary use or employment, as of a word or phrase in a particular sense or signification.
Custom
Habitual buying of goods from one same vendor.
Usage
Experience.
In eld [old age] is both wisdom and usage.
Custom
(collectively) The habitual patrons (i.e. customers) of a business; business support.
Usage
The act of using;
He warned against the use of narcotic drugs
Skilled in the utilization of computers
Custom
(legal) Long-established practice, considered as unwritten law, and resting for authority on long consent. Compare prescription.
Usage
Accepted or habitual practice
Custom
Traditional beliefs or rituals.
The Ancient Egyptian culture had many distinctive and interesting beliefs and customs; one custom was the mummification of the dead.
Usage
Manner of utilizing language
Correct usage of grammar is essential for clear communication.
Custom
A custom (made-to-order) piece of art, pornography, etc.
Usage
Application of a rule or law
The usage of this regulation is strictly enforced.
Custom
(obsolete) Familiar acquaintance; familiarity.
Usage
Customary way of doing something
The usage of greeting with a handshake is common in many cultures.
Custom
Toll, tax, or tribute.
Custom
Created under particular specifications, specially to fit one's needs: specialized, unique, custom-made.
My feet are very large, so I need custom shoes.
Custom
Own, personal, not standard or premade.
We can embroider a wide range of ready designs or a custom logo.
Custom
(archaic) Accustomed; usual.
Custom
To make familiar; to accustom.
Custom
To supply with customers.
Custom
To pay the customs of.
Custom
To have a custom.
Custom
Frequent repetition of the same act; way of acting common to many; ordinary manner; habitual practice; usage; method of doing or living.
And teach customs which are not lawful.
Moved beyond his custom, Gama said.
A customMore honored in the breach than the observance.
Custom
Habitual buying of goods; practice of frequenting, as a shop, manufactory, etc., for making purchases or giving orders; business support.
Let him have your custom, but not your votes.
Custom
Long-established practice, considered as unwritten law, and resting for authority on long consent; usage. See Usage, and Prescription.
Custom
Familiar aquaintance; familiarity.
Age can not wither her, nor custom staleHer infinite variety.
Custom
The customary toll, tax, or tribute.
Render, therefore, to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom.
Custom
Duties or tolls imposed by law on commodities, imported or exported.
Custom
To make familiar; to accustom.
Custom
To supply with customers.
Custom
To have a custom.
On a bridge he custometh to fight.
Custom
To pay the customs of.
Custom
Accepted or habitual practice
Custom
A specific practice of long standing
Custom
Money collected under a tariff
Custom
Habitual patronage;
I have given this tailor my custom for many years
Custom
Made according to the specifications of an individual
Custom
Made-to-order or personalized
He ordered a custom suit for the event.
Custom
Duty or tax on imports
Goods passing through the border are subject to custom.
Common Curiosities
What's an example of a social custom?
A social custom can be the act of giving gifts during Christmas.
What is 'fair usage' in copyright law?
Fair usage is a legal doctrine that permits limited use of copyrighted material without permission.
Can customs change over time?
While customs can evolve, they tend to change very slowly as they are deeply rooted in culture.
Can usage affect language evolution?
Yes, changes in usage can lead to the evolution of language over time.
What is excessive usage?
Excessive usage refers to using something more than what is normal or necessary.
What does usage mean in terms of language?
In language, usage refers to the conventional ways in which words and phrases are used.
Is internet usage measured?
Yes, internet usage is often measured in terms of data consumed.
Why are customs important in society?
Customs are important as they reflect a society's values, history, and traditions.
Are customs culturally specific?
Yes, customs are often specific to particular cultures or societies.
How does one learn proper usage?
Proper usage is usually learned through education, observation, and practice.
How do customs differ from laws?
Customs are traditional practices, whereas laws are formal legal statutes.
Is software usage tracked?
Software usage is frequently tracked for licensing and user experience purposes.
Can customs be considered law?
Some customs may be recognized as law if they are widely accepted and practiced.
What influences language usage?
Language usage is influenced by cultural, social, and educational factors.
Can individuals have their own customs?
While customs are typically communal, individuals can have personal traditions.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
