usage

Compared meaning: use or the way something is used (noun).

比较义项：使用／用法（名词）。

• use

  Names the act of using something, or its purpose/benefit; common in fixed phrases like 'no use', 'of use', 'put to use', 'many uses'. Neutral, everyday register, works for almost any object or activity.

  “use”指使用这一行为本身，或由此带来的用处／好处；常见于固定搭配，如“no use”（没有用）、“of use”（有用处）、“put to use”（加以利用）、“many uses”（多种用途）；语域中性，日常口语中几乎可用于任何物品或活动。

  There's no use complaining about the delay now.

  现在抱怨这次延误已经没有用了。

• usage 本词

  Focuses on the way, pattern, or amount something is used, especially resource consumption (data, water, electricity) or language convention; often paired with words like 'common' or 'modern', and sounds more formal or technical than 'use'.

  “usage”侧重使用的方式、模式或用量，尤其用于资源消耗（如流量、用水、用电）或语言使用惯例；常与“common”“modern”等词搭配，语气比“use”更正式、更偏技术性。

  Check your phone's data usage before the month ends.

  在这个月结束前，先查一下你手机的流量使用情况。

Both are nouns about using something, but focus differs. Use names the act of using something, or its purpose, as in 'no use' (its verb sense is not compared here). Usage focuses on the way, pattern, or amount something is used, like data or water.

“use”和“usage”都能表示与“使用”相关的意思，但“use”更强调使用这一行为本身或由此带来的用处，常出现在固定搭配中；“usage”更强调使用的方式、模式或用量，多用于资源消耗或语言习惯等较正式的语境。这里不比较“use”作动词（使用某物）的用法。

Compared meaning: an accepted, usual way of doing something (noun).

比较义项：惯常做法／习俗（名词）。

• custom

  A traditional practice of a society, community, or individual, passed down over time; tied to culture, etiquette, or personal habit rather than technical or formal use.

  指社会、群体或个人长期形成并传承下来的传统做法，与文化、礼仪或个人习惯有关，而非技术性或正式的用法。

  It is a custom in this village to light candles every New Year's Eve.

  在这个村子，每年新年前夜点燃蜡烛是一种习俗。

• usage 本词

  An accepted, often formal way of using or doing something, especially language, tools, or resources; describes convention or correctness rather than cultural tradition.

  指某种做法已被公认为惯例，往往较为正式，常涉及语言、工具或资源的使用方式，强调规范或正确性，而非文化传统。

  Formal usage requires 'whom' after a preposition in careful writing.

  按照正式惯例，严谨的写作中介词后要使用“whom”。

Custom and usage both mean an accepted way of doing something. Custom is a traditional practice of a society or person, tied to culture or habit. Usage is an accepted way of using something, especially language or tools. Usage's 'amount used' meaning is not compared.

这两个词都可以表示“惯常的做法”，但 custom 强调社会、群体或个人长期形成并传承下来的传统习俗，多与文化、礼仪相关；usage 强调某种做法已被公认为惯例，常涉及语言、工具或资源的使用方式，语气更正式或专业。这里不比较 usage 表示“用量”（如水的使用量）的意思，也不比较 custom 复数形式 customs 表示“海关”的意思。