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 customizes her clothes to fit her personal style. [customizes: verb]
ritual
Example
The priest performed the ritual of baptism on the newborn baby. [ritual: noun]
Example
She has a morning ritual of drinking coffee and reading the news. [ritual: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Custom is more commonly used than ritual in everyday language. Custom can refer to a wide range of habitual or traditional practices, while ritual is more specific and often associated with religious or spiritual practices.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between custom and ritual?
Ritual is typically associated with a more formal and ceremonial tone, while custom can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
