accustom

verb

ac·​cus·​tom ə-ˈkə-stəm 

accustomed; accustoming; accustoms

transitive verb

: to make familiar with something through use or experience

accustomation

ə-ˌkə-stə-ˈmā-shən 

noun

Synonyms of accustom

• introduce
• familiarize
• educate
• orient

Examples of accustom in a Sentence

the task of accustoming new recruits to shipboard life

Recent Examples on the Web

Hardly a travesty, but not what a 5-star guest might be accustomed to. —Manal Albarakati, semafor.com, 23 Apr. 2026

But on days of heavy rain, like Wyandotte is accustomed to during the summer months, wastewater can flood over the dam that separates those pipe systems. —Sofi Zeman, Kansas City Star, 23 Apr. 2026

Kirby Smart has Bulldogs fans accustomed to hot starts — 10-0 in season-opening games — but Georgia might also be playing its first game in future seasons amid warmer temperatures than the past. —Mike Griffith, AJC.com, 21 Apr. 2026

Judges accustomed to having government lawyers comply with their orders have been left fuming. —Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 19 Apr. 2026

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

Phrases Containing accustom

• accustom oneself to

Rhymes for accustom

• custom
• frustum

Kids Definition

accustom

verb

ac·​cus·​tom ə-ˈkəs-təm 

: to make familiar