acclimatize

verb

ac·​cli·​ma·​tize ə-ˈklī-mə-ˌtīz 

acclimatized; acclimatizing

: acclimate

acclimatization

ə-ˌklī-mə-tə-ˈzā-shən 

noun

acclimatizer noun

Synonyms of acclimatize

• adapt
• adjust
• tailor
• conform
• put
• suit

Examples of acclimatize in a Sentence

The mountain climbers spent a few days acclimatizing themselves to the high altitude.

had lived through several northern winters before she fully acclimatized her wardrobe

Recent Examples on the Web

And people with the sickle-cell trait might be well-advised to acclimatize before doing sports at high altitudes. —Roxanne Khamsi, The Atlantic, 15 Feb. 2026

The body needs the slow ascent to acclimatize. —Cecilia Vega, CBS News, 22 Dec. 2025

The colorful lizards are acclimatized for cool mountain places, like the Mules. —Sarah Henry, AZCentral.com, 22 Nov. 2025

One of their two dogs has only recently been rescued herself, and is still acclimatizing to their home, Seeger explained, and taking on a third dog also comes with its own financial and emotional cost. —Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

ad- + climate + -ize (perhaps modeled on French acclimater) — more at acclimate

First Known Use

1802, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for acclimatize

• actualize
• antagonize
• apologise
• apologize
• capitalize
• categorize
• characterize
• commercialize
• conceptualize
• contrariwise
• criminalize
• decentralize

Kids Definition

acclimatize

verb

ac·​cli·​ma·​tize ə-ˈklī-mə-ˌtīz 

acclimatized; acclimatizing

: acclimate

acclimatization

ə-ˌklī-mət-ə-ˈzā-shən 

noun

Medical Definition

acclimatize

verb

ac·​cli·​ma·​tize

variants or British acclimatise

ə-ˈklī-mə-ˌtīz 

acclimatized or British acclimatised; acclimatizing or British acclimatising

transitive verb

: to adapt to a new temperature, altitude, climate, environment, or situation

intransitive verb

: to become acclimatized

acclimatization noun

or British acclimatisation

ə-ˌklī-mət-ə-ˈzā-shən