French Conversation · Level 93
60 words
French word
coutume
Pronunciation
IPA/kutym/
Meaning
- feminine nouncustom
Example
Ici, la coutume est de dîner en famille le dimanche.
Here, the custom is to have dinner with the family on Sundays.
More examples
Selon la coutume, on retire ses chaussures à l'entrée.
According to custom, people take off their shoes at the entrance.
Core concept
A repeated practice that belongs to someone's way of life or marks how a community traditionally behaves.
Common phrases
selon la coutume
according to custom
avoir pour coutume de
make a practice of ___
prendre la coutume de
adopt the custom of ___
Similar words
habitude: A daily pattern developed through personal repetition.
tradition: A long-standing practice passed down through a culture or family.
Definition in French
Pratique répétée, comportement régulier ou habitude partagée par un groupe ou une personne.
Word origin
The noun coutume traces back through Old French to Latin consuetudo, a word for habit and customary practice.
Usage tips
- For an individual's everyday habit, avoir l'habitude de is usually more natural, while coutume often suggests a shared or traditional practice.
Other meanings
- traditionnoun
- conventionnoun
Opposites
- innovationinnovationnoun
- nouveauténoveltynoun
Related words
- coutumiercustomaryadjective
- coutumièrementcustomarilyadverb