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

• introduce
• familiarize
• educate
• orient

Examples of accustom in a Sentence

the task of accustoming new recruits to shipboard life

Recent Examples on the Web

Sally was accustomed to the dense whitetail cover back in Michigan, and this didn’t look right to her. —Robert Merchant, Outdoor Life, 1 Oct. 2025

Until Saturday, Scott — accustomed to wearing prison blue — had two shirts and two pairs of pants, but Sanders took him to Ross Dress for Less for some colorful, new clothes. —Tony Saavedra, Oc Register, 30 Sep. 2025

Brakefield says the company was accustomed to reaching customers via digital media, and accordingly put its focus on finding customers online. —Brian Steinberg, Variety, 29 Sep. 2025

Earl Vickers was accustomed to taking Molly, his shepherd-boxer-something-else mix, for strolls on the beach or around his neighborhood in Seaside, California. —Paula Span, Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2025

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