Trend vs. Custom — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Urooj Arif — Updated on May 4, 2024
Trend refers to general direction or widespread behavior in society or culture, often short-lived; custom denotes traditional, long-established practices or habits unique to a community.
Difference Between Trend and Custom
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Trends are commonly observed as current or emerging patterns in behavior, fashion, or opinion that gain popularity swiftly and are often driven by media and societal changes. On the other hand, customs are deeply rooted traditions that define or reflect a community's values and history, enduring through generations without significant change.
While trends are typically marked by their transient nature, changing as new ideas and technologies emerge, customs remain largely consistent, providing a sense of continuity and identity to cultural or social groups. Trends often capture the public's attention and can influence various aspects of society, from consumer behavior to social norms, whereas customs play a crucial role in ceremonies, rituals, and everyday life, reinforcing community bonds and cultural heritage.
Trends can be adopted globally, transcending geographical and cultural boundaries due to globalization and digital connectivity. In contrast, customs are usually specific to particular ethnic, regional, or national communities and may not be well understood or practiced outside these groups.
Trends are often driven by innovation or marketing efforts aiming to create demand or promote new products. Customs, however, are preserved through communal practice and often have historical significance or symbolic meanings attached to them.
While trends can be seen as indicators of change or current interests in a society, customs serve as anchors, maintaining stability and continuity within a culture even as it evolves.
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Comparison Chart
Duration
Short-term, often changing
Long-term, stable
Origin
Media, technology, public interest
Historical, cultural background
Global vs. Local
Often global
Predominantly local
Purpose
Driven by innovation, marketing
Cultural preservation, identity
Influence on Society
Influences behavior and preferences
Strengthens community, traditions
Compare with Definitions
Trend
A pattern of gradual change in a condition, output, or process.
The trend in data shows an increase in average temperatures.
Custom
A long-standing law or practice that has become accepted and expected.
It’s a custom in the village for everyone to help during the harvest.
Trend
A fad or phase that is temporarily popular.
She always follows the latest fashion trends.
Custom
A traditional practice followed by people of a particular group or region.
It is a custom in their family to have dinner together every Sunday.
Trend
A current style or preference.
The trend of wearing oversized sunglasses has become quite popular.
Custom
A habitual practice; the usual way of acting in given circumstances.
The custom of giving gifts at Christmas is observed by many around the world.
Trend
A general direction in which something is developing.
There is a trend towards remote working in many industries.
Custom
A practice so long established that it has the force of law.
The local custom dictates that disputes are settled by the village elders.
Trend
A topic that is the subject of many posts on social media.
#EcoFriendly was a major trend on social media last year.
Custom
An established way of behaving or doing something in a society.
Greeting with a handshake is a common custom in many western countries.
Trend
A general tendency or course of events
A warming trend.
Custom
A traditional and widely accepted way of behaving or doing something that is specific to a particular society, place, or time
Custom demanded that a person should have gifts for the child
The old English custom of dancing round the maypole
Trend
Current style; vogue
The latest trend in fashion.
Custom
Regular dealings with a shop or business by customers
If you keep me waiting, I will take my custom elsewhere
Trend
The general direction of something
The river's southern trend.
Custom
Made or done to order; custom-made
A custom guitar
Trend
To show a general tendency; tend
The magazine's circulation is trending downward.
Custom
A traditional practice or usual way of doing something followed by a social group or people.
Trend
To undergo a rapid increase in public interest or attention
News of the earthquake is trending on social media.
Custom
The tradition or body of such practices
The respect that is by custom accorded to the king.
Trend
To extend, incline, or veer in a specified direction
The prevailing wind trends northeast.
Custom
A habitual practice of a person
My custom of reading a little before sleep.
Trend
An inclination in a particular direction.
The trend of a coastline
The upward trend of stock-market prices
Custom
Habitual manner or practice
I am not by custom a coffee drinker.
Trend
A tendency.
There is a trend, these days, for people in films not to smoke.
Custom
(Law) A common tradition or usage so long established that it has the force or validity of law.
Trend
A fad or fashion style.
Miniskirts were one of the biggest trends of the 1960s.
Custom
Habitual patronage, as of a store
Tried to obtain the custom of the wealthiest shoppers.
Trend
(mathematics) A line drawn on a graph that approximates the trend of a number of disparate points.
Custom
Duties or taxes imposed on imported and, less commonly, exported goods.
Trend
(nautical) The lower end of the shank of an anchor, being the same distance on the shank from the throat that the arm measures from the throat to the bill.
Custom
(used with a sing. verb) The governmental agency authorized to collect these duties.
Trend
(nautical) The angle made by the line of a vessel's keel and the direction of the anchor cable, when she is swinging at anchor.
Custom
(used with a sing. verb) The place where goods and baggage entering a country are inspected by this agency
Go through customs.
Trend
Clean wool.
Custom
Tribute, service, or rent paid by a feudal tenant to a lord.
Trend
(intransitive) To have a particular direction; to run; to stretch; to tend.
The shore of the sea trends to the southwest.
Custom
Made to order
Custom suits.
Trend
(transitive) To cause to turn; to bend.
Custom
Specializing in the making or selling of made-to-order goods
A custom tailor.
Trend
To be the subject of a trend; to be currently popular, relevant or interesting.
What topics have been trending on social networks this week?
Custom
Frequent repetition of the same behavior; way of behavior common to many; ordinary manner; habitual practice; method of doing, living or behaving.
Trend
To cleanse or clean (something, usually wool).
Custom
Habitual buying of goods from one same vendor.
Trend
To have a particular direction; to run; to stretch; to tend; as, the shore of the sea trends to the southwest.
Custom
(collectively) The habitual patrons (i.e. customers) of a business; business support.
Trend
To cause to turn; to bend.
Not far beneath i' the valley as she trendsHer silver stream.
Custom
(legal) Long-established practice, considered as unwritten law, and resting for authority on long consent. Compare prescription.
Trend
To cleanse, as wool.
Custom
A custom (made-to-order) piece of art, pornography, etc.
Trend
Inclination in a particular direction; tendency; general direction; as, the trend of a coast.
Custom
(obsolete) Familiar acquaintance; familiarity.
Trend
Clean wool.
Custom
Toll, tax, or tribute.
Trend
A general direction in which something tends to move;
The shoreward tendency of the current
The trend of the stock market
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.
Trend
General line of orientation;
The river takes a southern course
The northeastern trend of the coast
Custom
Own, personal, not standard or premade.
We can embroider a wide range of ready designs or a custom logo.
Trend
A general tendency to change (as of opinion);
Not openly liberal but that is the trend of the book
A broad movement of the electorate to the right
Custom
(archaic) Accustomed; usual.
Trend
The popular taste at a given time;
Leather is the latest vogue
He followed current trends
The 1920s had a style of their own
Custom
To make familiar; to accustom.
Trend
Turn sharply; change direction abruptly;
The car cut to the left at the intersection
The motorbike veered to the right
Custom
To supply with customers.
Custom
To pay the customs of.
Custom
To have a custom.
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.
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.
Custom
Long-established practice, considered as unwritten law, and resting for authority on long consent; usage. See Usage, and Prescription.
Custom
Familiar aquaintance; familiarity.
Age can not wither her, nor custom staleHer infinite variety.
Custom
The customary toll, tax, or tribute.
Render, therefore, to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom.
Custom
Duties or tolls imposed by law on commodities, imported or exported.
Custom
To make familiar; to accustom.
Custom
To supply with customers.
Custom
To have a custom.
On a bridge he custometh to fight.
Custom
To pay the customs of.
Custom
Accepted or habitual practice
Custom
A specific practice of long standing
Custom
Money collected under a tariff
Custom
Habitual patronage;
I have given this tailor my custom for many years
Custom
Made according to the specifications of an individual
Common Curiosities
What role do trends play in business?
Trends are crucial for businesses as they guide product development, marketing strategies, and market predictions.
How are customs preserved?
Customs are preserved through continuous practice, cultural education, and community engagement.
Can trends become customs?
Yes, if a trend is consistently practiced over generations and becomes ingrained in society, it can evolve into a custom.
How do customs originate?
Customs originate from historical practices, cultural significance, or ancestral teachings specific to a community or region.
Are all trends visible or popular?
Not all trends are widely visible; some emerge within niche communities or specific sectors.
What defines a trend?
A trend is defined as a current or emerging pattern in societal behavior or preferences that gains temporary popularity.
Why do trends change frequently?
Trends change frequently due to technological advancements, shifts in consumer interests, and media influence.
What happens when customs conflict with new laws?
When customs conflict with new laws, it can lead to cultural tensions or require legal reforms to align traditional practices with contemporary standards.
What is the difference between a trend and a fashion?
A trend refers to general changes in behavior or style, while fashion specifically relates to clothing and accessories.
What makes a custom important to cultural identity?
Customs are key to cultural identity as they embody the traditions, values, and history of a community.
Can customs be negative?
Some customs can be seen as negative, especially if they conflict with modern values or human rights.
Are customs static?
While customs tend to be stable, they can evolve or adapt over time in response to social, cultural, or environmental changes.
How do social media influence trends?
Social media accelerates the spread and adoption of trends by providing a platform for rapid information sharing and viral content.
How do trends impact social norms?
Trends can influence social norms by reshaping attitudes, behaviors, and expectations in society.
Do trends reflect economic conditions?
Yes, trends can reflect economic conditions as they often relate to consumer spending patterns and societal priorities.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
