accustom

verb

ac·​cus·​tom ə-ˈkə-stəm How to pronounce accustom (audio)
accustomed; accustoming; accustoms

transitive verb

: to make familiar with something through use or experience
accustomation noun

Examples of accustom in a Sentence

the task of accustoming new recruits to shipboard life
Recent Examples on the Web Loftin is getting accustomed defensively to playing different positions. Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 4 Mar. 2024 Motorists are also accustomed to paying for gasoline quickly with a credit card, but EV charging stations often have cumbersome payment procedures that vary from one provider to the next. Peter Douglas, The Mercury News, 3 Mar. 2024 New models from Kamado Joe and Masterbuilt are also a lot smarter than grills to which most people are accustomed. Chris Morris, Fortune, 28 Feb. 2024 As digital natives, this younger generation is accustomed to communicating online instead of through face-to-face interactions. Jack Kelly, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2024 Opinion polls show that Okinawans under 40, accustomed to U.S. bases, are less fervently opposed to them than their elders. Stephanie Yang, Los Angeles Times, 28 Feb. 2024 The film may come as a surprise to consumers of Western media, accustomed to seeing Ukraine presented in relatively straightforward terms as the plucky underdog resisting the might of Moscow. Catherine Bray, Variety, 17 Feb. 2024 The Super Bowl overtime format is quite similar to what fans are accustomed to in the regular season, with two significant exceptions: Both teams will have the chance to possess the ball and games cannot end in ties. Steve Gardner, USA TODAY, 11 Feb. 2024 Will is a lifer, accustomed to the ups – and many more downs – of dedicating oneself to the Lions. Detroit Free Press, 28 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'accustom.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English acustomen "to habituate (reflexive or intransitive)," borrowed from Anglo-French acustumer, acostumer, from a-, prefix forming transitive verbs (going back to Latin ad- ad-) + -customer, costomer, verbal derivative of custume custom entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of accustom was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near accustom

Cite this Entry

“Accustom.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/accustom. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

accustom

verb
ac·​cus·​tom ə-ˈkəs-təm How to pronounce accustom (audio)
: to make familiar

More from Merriam-Webster on accustom

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