wont

Everyday

1. (formal, old-fashioned) If someone is wont to do something, they usually do it; it is their habit. tree →
2. (formal, old-fashioned) «As is his wont» means as he usually does. tree →
3. Without an apostrophe, «wont» is also a common misspelling of «won't» (will not). tree →

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 →
• She was wont to sing while she cooked. tree →
• The old cat was wont to sleep by the fire. tree →
• As is her wont, the teacher arrived early. tree →
• «I won't go» — not «I wont go». tree →
• He was wont to walk five miles each morning. tree →
• Woe was drowned, and the merchant began to live again as he had been wont to do of old. tree →

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 →
• 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 →
• 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 →
• Great are Thy compassions, O LORD; quicken me as Thou art wont. (Writings PSA.119.156, JPS 1917) tree →
• Hear my voice according unto Thy lovingkindness; quicken me, O LORD, as Thou art wont. (Writings PSA.119.149, JPS 1917) tree →
• 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 →

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 →

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 →
• I'll take away the last little one, and you wont have to bother about her.” (English Fairy Tales) tree →
• 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 →

Note

Today: used to; accustomed.