Culture vs. Custom: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Culture encompasses the social behaviors, beliefs, and practices of a group, while a custom is a specific traditional practice within a culture.
Key Differences
Culture refers to the collective practices, values, beliefs, and behaviors of a group, encompassing various aspects of life. Custom, in contrast, specifically denotes a traditional practice or ritual that is a part of a larger cultural context, often passed down through generations.
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Dec 21, 2023
Culture is a broad term that includes language, art, norms, and social habits, defining the way of life for a community. Custom is more specific, referring to a particular traditional act or behavior, such as a wedding ritual or a holiday celebration, unique to a particular culture.
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Dec 21, 2023
Culture plays a significant role in shaping the identity and social structure of a community, influencing how its members interact and view the world. Customs are expressions of culture, acting as tangible manifestations of a group's heritage and shared history.
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Dec 21, 2023
Cultures are dynamic and evolve over time, influenced by external factors like globalization, technology, and social changes. Customs, while they can also evolve, tend to be more steadfast, preserving traditional values and practices.
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Dec 21, 2023
Culture can be seen in the collective lifestyle of a community, such as in its cuisine, fashion, and art. A custom is more specific, like the tradition of afternoon tea in England or the custom of removing shoes before entering a home in many Asian cultures.
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Dec 21, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Collective beliefs, practices, and behaviors of a group
A specific traditional practice within a culture
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Dec 21, 2023
Scope
Broad, encompassing various aspects of life
Specific, pertaining to particular traditions
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Dec 21, 2023
Role
Shapes identity and social structure
Acts as a manifestation of cultural heritage
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Dec 21, 2023
Change and Dynamics
Dynamic, evolves with external influences
More steadfast, preserving traditional values
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Dec 21, 2023
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Culture and Custom Definitions
Culture
The collective customs, arts, social institutions, and achievements of a particular nation or group.
Japanese culture is renowned for its emphasis on harmony and respect.
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Dec 15, 2023
Custom
A traditional and widely accepted way of behaving or doing something specific to a particular society, place, or time.
In many cultures, it's a custom to offer gifts to guests.
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Dec 15, 2023
Culture
The characteristics and knowledge of a particular group, encompassing language, religion, cuisine, social habits, music, and arts.
Indian culture is a rich tapestry of languages, religions, and culinary traditions.
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Dec 15, 2023
Custom
A practice followed by people of a particular group or region.
The custom of having a siesta is common in several Spanish-speaking countries.
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Dec 15, 2023
Culture
The arts and other manifestations of human intellectual achievement regarded collectively.
The Renaissance was a pivotal period in European culture.
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Dec 15, 2023
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Custom
An established pattern of behavior that is characteristic of a particular social group.
Wearing white at weddings is a custom in many Western societies.
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Dec 15, 2023
Culture
The arts, beliefs, customs, institutions, and other products of human work and thought considered as a unit, especially with regard to a particular time or social group
Edwardian culture.
Japanese culture.
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Dec 13, 2023
Custom
A habitual practice; the usual way of acting in given circumstances.
The custom of decorating trees during Christmas has spread globally.
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Dec 15, 2023
Culture
These arts, beliefs, and other products considered with respect to a particular subject or mode of expression
Musical culture.
Oral culture.
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Dec 13, 2023
Custom
A usage or practice common to many or to a particular place or class or habitual with an individual.
In Japan, the custom of bowing is a sign of respect.
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Dec 15, 2023
Culture
The set of predominating attitudes and behavior that characterize a group or organization
A manager who changed the corporate culture.
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Dec 13, 2023
Custom
A traditional practice or usual way of doing something followed by a social group or people.
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Dec 13, 2023
Culture
Mental refinement and sophisticated taste resulting from the appreciation of the arts and sciences
A woman of great culture.
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Custom
The tradition or body of such practices
The respect that is by custom accorded to the king.
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Dec 13, 2023
Culture
Special training and development
Voice culture for singers and actors.
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Custom
A habitual practice of a person
My custom of reading a little before sleep.
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Dec 13, 2023
Culture
The breeding or cultivation of animals or plants for food, the improvement of stock, or other purposes.
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Dec 13, 2023
Custom
(Law) A common tradition or usage so long established that it has the force or validity of law.
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Dec 13, 2023
Culture
The growing of microorganisms, tissue cells, or other living matter in a specially prepared nutrient medium.
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Dec 13, 2023
Custom
Habitual patronage, as of a store
Tried to obtain the custom of the wealthiest shoppers.
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Dec 13, 2023
Custom
Duties or taxes imposed on imported and, less commonly, exported goods.
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Custom
(used with a sing. verb) The governmental agency authorized to collect these duties.
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Dec 13, 2023
Culture
To grow (microorganisms or other living matter) in a specially prepared nutrient medium.
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Dec 13, 2023
Custom
(used with a sing. verb) The place where goods and baggage entering a country are inspected by this agency
Go through customs.
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Dec 13, 2023
Culture
The arts, customs, lifestyles, background, and habits that characterize humankind, or a particular society or nation.
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Dec 13, 2023
Culture
The beliefs, values, behaviour and material objects that constitute a people's way of life.
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Dec 13, 2023
Custom
Specializing in the making or selling of made-to-order goods
A custom tailor.
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Culture
The conventional conducts and ideologies of a community; the system comprising the accepted norms and values of a society.
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Dec 13, 2023
Custom
Frequent repetition of the same behavior; way of behavior common to many; ordinary manner; habitual practice; method of doing, living or behaving.
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Dec 13, 2023
Culture
(anthropology) Any knowledge passed from one generation to the next, not necessarily with respect to human beings.
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Dec 13, 2023
Custom
(collectively) The habitual patrons (i.e. customers) of a business; business support.
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Culture
(microbiology) The process of growing a bacterial or other biological entity in an artificial medium.
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Custom
(legal) Long-established practice, considered as unwritten law, and resting for authority on long consent. Compare prescription.
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Dec 13, 2023
Culture
The growth thus produced.
I'm headed to the lab to make sure my cell culture hasn't died.
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Dec 13, 2023
Custom
Traditional beliefs or rituals.
The Ancient Egyptian culture had many distinctive and interesting beliefs and customs; one custom was the mummification of the dead.
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Dec 13, 2023
Culture
(cartography) The details on a map that do not represent natural features of the area delineated, such as names and the symbols for towns, roads, meridians, and parallels.
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Dec 13, 2023
Culture
(archaeology) A recurring assemblage of artifacts from a specific time and place that may constitute the material culture remains of a particular past human society.
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Dec 13, 2023
Culture
(euphemism) Ethnicity, race (and its associated arts, customs, etc.)
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Dec 13, 2023
Custom
Created under particular specifications, specially to fit one's needs: specialized, unique, custom-made.
My feet are very large, so I need custom shoes.
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Dec 13, 2023
Culture
(transitive) to maintain in an environment suitable for growth especially of bacteria cultivate}}
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Dec 13, 2023
Custom
Own, personal, not standard or premade.
We can embroider a wide range of ready designs or a custom logo.
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Dec 13, 2023
Culture
(transitive) to increase the artistic or scientific interest in something cultivate}}
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Culture
The act or practice of cultivating, or of preparing the earth for seed and raising crops by tillage; as, the culture of the soil.
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Dec 13, 2023
Culture
The act of, or any labor or means employed for, training, disciplining, or refining the moral and intellectual nature of man; as, the culture of the mind.
If vain our toilWe ought to blame the culture, not the soil.
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Dec 13, 2023
Culture
The state of being cultivated; result of cultivation; physical improvement; enlightenment and discipline acquired by mental and moral training; civilization; refinement in manners and taste.
What the Greeks expressed by their paidei`a, the Romans by their humanitas, we less happily try to express by the more artificial word culture.
The list of all the items of the general life of a people represents that whole which we call its culture.
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Dec 13, 2023
Culture
The cultivation of bacteria or other organisms (such as fungi or eukaryotic cells from mulitcellular organisms) in artificial media or under artificial conditions.
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Dec 13, 2023
Culture
Those details of a map, collectively, which do not represent natural features of the area delineated, as names and the symbols for towns, roads, houses, bridges, meridians, and parallels.
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Dec 13, 2023
Custom
Frequent repetition of the same act; way of acting common to many; ordinary manner; habitual practice; usage; method of doing or living.
And teach customs which are not lawful.
Moved beyond his custom, Gama said.
A customMore honored in the breach than the observance.
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Dec 13, 2023
Culture
To cultivate; to educate.
They came . . . into places well inhabited and cultured.
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Dec 13, 2023
Custom
Habitual buying of goods; practice of frequenting, as a shop, manufactory, etc., for making purchases or giving orders; business support.
Let him have your custom, but not your votes.
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Dec 13, 2023
Culture
A particular society at a particular time and place;
Early Mayan civilization
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Custom
Long-established practice, considered as unwritten law, and resting for authority on long consent; usage. See Usage, and Prescription.
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Dec 13, 2023
Custom
Familiar aquaintance; familiarity.
Age can not wither her, nor custom staleHer infinite variety.
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Dec 13, 2023
Custom
The customary toll, tax, or tribute.
Render, therefore, to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom.
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Dec 13, 2023
Culture
(biology) the growing of microorganisms in a nutrient medium (such as gelatin or agar);
The culture of cells in a Petri dish
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Dec 13, 2023
Custom
Duties or tolls imposed by law on commodities, imported or exported.
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Dec 13, 2023
Culture
(bacteriology) the product of cultivating micro-organisms in a nutrient medium
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Culture
A highly developed state of perfection; having a flawless or impeccable quality;
They performed with great polish
I admired the exquisite refinement of his prose
Almost an inspiration which gives to all work that finish which is almost art
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Culture
The attitudes and behavior that are characteristic of a particular social group or organization;
The developing drug culture
The reason that the agency is doomed to inaction has something to do with the FBI culture
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Dec 13, 2023
Culture
The ideas, customs, and social behavior of a particular people or society.
The culture of the Mediterranean region is known for its vibrant lifestyle.
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Dec 15, 2023
Culture
A way of life of a group of people—the behaviors, beliefs, values, and symbols that they accept, generally without thinking about them.
Cultural practices like folk music and dance play a vital role in community bonding.
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Dec 15, 2023
Custom
Habitual patronage;
I have given this tailor my custom for many years
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Dec 13, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
How does culture influence daily life?
Culture influences everyday behaviors, interactions, and perceptions.
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Dec 21, 2023
Can culture change over time?
Yes, cultures evolve with societal and global influences.
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Dec 21, 2023
What defines culture?
Culture is the collective norms, values, and practices of a society.
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Dec 21, 2023
What role does religion play in culture?
Religion often significantly influences a culture's values and practices.
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Dec 21, 2023
Are customs legally binding?
Customs are not laws but can have social importance.
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Dec 21, 2023
How does globalization affect culture?
Globalization can lead to cultural blending and changes.
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Dec 21, 2023
Do customs ever change?
Customs can evolve, but often at a slower pace than overall culture.
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Dec 21, 2023
What is a custom?
A custom is a specific traditional practice within a culture.
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Dec 21, 2023
Are customs the same worldwide?
No, customs vary significantly across different cultures.
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Dec 21, 2023
What’s the importance of preserving culture?
Preserving culture maintains historical identity and diversity.
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Dec 21, 2023
Can a culture exist without customs?
Customs are integral to culture, providing specific practices and rituals.
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Dec 21, 2023
Is language part of culture?
Yes, language is a fundamental aspect of culture.
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Dec 21, 2023
How is a custom established?
Customs are established through long-standing traditions and practices.
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Dec 21, 2023
How are customs passed down?
Customs are passed down through generations, often orally or through practice.
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Dec 21, 2023
Why are customs important in society?
Customs foster a sense of identity and continuity.
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Dec 21, 2023
How do traditions differ from customs?
Traditions are more ritualistic practices, while customs are more general behavioral patterns.
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Dec 21, 2023
Can cultures be completely different?
Cultures can vary greatly, reflecting diverse histories and environments.
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Dec 21, 2023
What is cultural diversity?
Cultural diversity is the variety of different cultures within a society.
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Dec 21, 2023
How do cultural exchanges happen?
Cultural exchanges occur through travel, communication, and media, allowing different cultures to share and learn from each other.
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Can a person belong to multiple cultures?
Yes, individuals can identify with multiple cultural backgrounds.
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Dec 21, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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