accustomed

adjective

ac·​cus·​tomed ə-ˈkə-stəmd 

1

: often used or practiced : customary

her accustomed cheerfulness

2

: adapted to existing conditions

eyes accustomed to the dark

3

: being in the habit or custom

a team accustomed to winning

accustomedness

ə-ˈkə-stəm(d)-nəs 

noun

Synonyms of accustomed

• used

Choose the Right Synonym for accustomed

usual, customary, habitual, wonted, accustomed mean familiar through frequent or regular repetition.

usual stresses the absence of strangeness or unexpectedness.

my usual order for lunch

customary applies to what accords with the practices, conventions, or usages of an individual or community.

the customary waiting period before the application is approved

habitual suggests a practice settled or established by much repetition.

a habitual morning routine

wonted stresses habituation but usually applies to what is favored, sought, or purposefully cultivated.

his wonted determination

accustomed is less emphatic than wonted or habitual in suggesting fixed habit or invariable custom.

accepted the compliment with her accustomed modesty

Examples of accustomed in a Sentence

She arrived early enough to get her accustomed seat in the front row.

Josh felt uncomfortably full, as he was not accustomed to eating so much.

Recent Examples on the Web

The strategy behind the challenge As coaches grow more accustomed to challenges, teams are developing strategies to maximize them. —Maura Carey, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026

People have become accustomed to it on the islands. —Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 26 Mar. 2026

Tom, long accustomed to Dahl’s beliefs and his manner of expressing them, attempts a sort of soft diplomacy. —Daniel D'addario, Variety, 24 Mar. 2026

With sufficient inner resources, a person soon becomes accustomed to prison. —Christine Smallwood, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English acustumed "customary, used (to)," from past participle of acustomen "to accustom"

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for accustomed

• unaccustomed

Kids Definition

accustomed

adjective

ac·​cus·​tomed ə-ˈkəs-təmd 

1

: customary

my accustomed lunch hour

2

: familiar with

3

: being in the habit or custom

accustomed to making decisions