What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
custom
Example
It's a custom in our family to have a big dinner on Christmas Eve. [custom: noun]
Example
She always wears red on Fridays, it's her custom. [custom: noun]
Example
It's customary to tip your waiter at a restaurant. [customary: adjective]
practice
Example
I need to practice my guitar every day to get better. [practice: verb]
Example
The doctor's practice is located downtown. [practice: noun]
Example
She uses mindfulness practices to reduce stress. [practices: noun, plural]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Practice is more commonly used than custom in everyday language. Practice is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while custom is less common and refers to specific cultural or societal traditions.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between custom and practice?
Both custom and practice can be used in formal and informal contexts, but practice is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both academic and everyday language.
