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coutume

custom

noun koo-TUM Rare

Also means

habit, tradition

Usage Note

Coutume refers to a long-established social or cultural practice, often at the community or national level — more solemn than habitude ('personal habit'). Avoir coutume de faire quelque chose is a slightly formal way of saying 'to be in the habit of doing something'. The adjective coutumier means customary, as in fait coutumier ('habitual act').

Examples

"C'est une vieille coutume dans notre village."

Natural Translation

It is an old custom in our village.

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