[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/wont/) [dictionaries](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [English](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/) / [W](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/w/) / wont # wont noun (wont — formal, old-fashioned); adjective (be wont to — formal, old-fashioned) «wont» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition and Early Modern English — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova. ## Everyday 1. (formal, old-fashioned) If someone is wont to do something, they usually do it; it is their habit. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/wont/#m1) 2. (formal, old-fashioned) «As is his wont» means as he usually does. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/wont/#m2) 3. Without an apostrophe, «wont» is also a common misspelling of «won't» (will not). [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/wont/#m3) ### In the lessons It appears in old books, stories and very formal writing: «as was her wont, Granny took a walk after tea». In everyday life people say «usually» or «as always». In text messages people often type «wont» when they mean «won't», which is a spelling mistake in school writing. ### Examples - As was his wont, Grandad fell asleep after lunch. (old-fashioned) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/wont/#x1) - She was wont to sing while she cooked. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/wont/#x2) - The old cat was wont to sleep by the fire. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/wont/#x3) - As is her wont, the teacher arrived early. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/wont/#x4) - «I won't go» — not «I wont go». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/wont/#x5) - He was wont to walk five miles each morning. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/wont/#x6) - Woe was drowned, and the merchant began to live again as he had been wont to do of old. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/wont/#x7) ### Note Say it like «won't» (in the UK, also «wunt»). It is rare and formal. The big trap: «won't» (will not) needs an apostrophe; «wont» means habit. «Wonted» means usual. ## In Jewish tradition Wont means used to, in the habit of; the English is old-fashioned. In the primary lessons: It appears in old books, stories and very formal writing: «as was her wont, Granny took a walk after tea». In everyday life people say «usually» or «as always». In text messages people often type «wont» when they mean «won't», which is a spelling mistake in school writing. ### Examples - We remember the fish, which we were wont to eat in Egypt for nought; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlic; (Torah NUM.11.5, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/W/wont/#x1) - And the ass said unto Balaam: 'Am not I thine ass, upon which thou hast ridden all thy life long unto this day? was I ever wont to do so unto thee?' And he said: 'Nay.' (Torah NUM.22.30, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/W/wont/#x2) - Or if it be known that the ox was wont to gore in time past, and its owner hath not kept it in; he shall surely pay ox for ox, and the dead beast shall be his own. (Torah EXO.21.36, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/W/wont/#x3) - Great are Thy compassions, O LORD; quicken me as Thou art wont. (Writings PSA.119.156, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/W/wont/#x4) - Hear my voice according unto Thy lovingkindness; quicken me, O LORD, as Thou art wont. (Writings PSA.119.149, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/W/wont/#x5) - Turn Thee towards me, and be gracious unto me, as is Thy wont to do unto those that love Thy name. (Writings PSA.119.132, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/W/wont/#x6) ### Note Say it like «won't» (in the UK, also «wunt»). It is rare and formal. The big trap: «won't» (will not) needs an apostrophe; «wont» means habit. «Wonted» means usual. ## Early Modern English ### Meaning Accustomed; in the habit of doing something. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/emode/W/wont/#m1) ### Then and now Today it is formal and old-fashioned; "wont" is also a misspelling of "won't" in the English Fairy Tales sentence, where it means "will not". ### Examples - We remember the fish, which we were wont to eat in Egypt for nought; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlic; (Torah NUM.11.5, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/emode/W/wont/#x1) - I'll take away the last little one, and you wont have to bother about her.” (English Fairy Tales) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/emode/W/wont/#x2) - And the ass said unto Balaam: 'Am not I thine ass, upon which thou hast ridden all thy life long unto this day? was I ever wont to do so unto thee?' And he said: 'Nay.' (Torah NUM.22.30, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/emode/W/wont/#x3) ### Note Today: used to; accustomed. ## On Mova - [Trees and pragmatics of «wont» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/wont/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames. - [«wont» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/wont.html) on Mova free. - [Trees and pragmatics of «wont» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/W/wont/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames. - [«wont» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/wont.html) on Mova free. - [Trees and pragmatics of «wont» in the Early Modern English dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/emode/W/wont/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames. - [«wont» in the Early Modern English dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/emode/w/wont.html) on Mova free.