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customary

adjective/kʌstəmˌɛri/

definition

according to the customs or usual practices associated with a particular society or situation

example

It is customary for guests to bring a gift when attending a dinner party.

synonyms
traditionalhabitualestablished
word origin — from Middle English 'custumarie', from Old French 'costumier', based on 'coustume' (custom).

SAT Vocabulary Level 1 — Set 199

Set 199 of SAT Vocabulary Level 1 covers 5 words: customary, familiar, gradual, durable, mysterious. Each entry below includes its definition, an example sentence, and synonyms — practice them with the interactive cards above.

  1. customary · adjective/kʌstəmˌɛri/

    according to the customs or usual practices associated with a particular society or situation

    It is customary for guests to bring a gift when attending a dinner party.

    Synonyms: traditional, habitual, established

    Origin: from Middle English 'custumarie', from Old French 'costumier', based on 'coustume' (custom).

  2. familiar · adjective/fəˈmɪl.jɚ/

    well known from long or close association

    The musician played a familiar tune that instantly brought back memories of my childhood.

    Synonyms: well-known, recognized, acquainted

    Origin: from Latin 'familiaris', meaning 'of a household or family', from 'familia' meaning 'family'

  3. gradual · adjective/ˈɡrædʒ.ə.wəl/

    occurring or developing in small steps over a period of time

    The team observed a gradual improvement in the patient's condition over the course of several weeks.

    Synonyms: slow, incremental, progressive

    Origin: from the Latin 'gradualis', which comes from 'gradus' meaning 'step'

  4. durable · adjective/ˈdʊrə.bəl/

    able to withstand wear, pressure, or damage; long-lasting

    The durable materials used in the construction of the building ensure it will stand strong against harsh weather conditions for many years.

    Synonyms: long-lasting, sturdy, resilient

    Origin: from Latin 'durabilis', from 'durare' meaning 'to last'

  5. mysterious · adjective/mɪˈstɪriəs/

    having an unclear or puzzling quality often evoking curiosity or intrigue

    The mysterious disappearance of the ancient artifact left researchers puzzled for decades.

    Synonyms: enigmatic, cryptic, inscrutable

    Origin: The word 'mysterious' originates from the Greek word 'musterion', meaning 'secret' or 'mystery', which evolved through Latin and Middle English.