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

• acquaint
• familiarize
• initiate
• introduce
• orient
• orientate

Examples of accustom in a Sentence

the task of accustoming new recruits to shipboard life

Recent Examples on the Web

Still, many passengers who are accustomed to checking in at the airport ignore these alerts. —Katie Jackson, Travel + Leisure, 7 June 2025

Judge hit three first-pitch solo homers in the first two games of the Dodgers series, the type of performance of which the Yanks have become accustomed, two of them behind Fried. —Barry M. Bloom, Sportico.com, 2 June 2025

The Canadian side was always going to be outmatched man-for-man against a legitimate Liga MX club like Cruz Azul, a club accustomed to playing on such a stage. —Felipe Cardenas, New York Times, 1 June 2025

It is recommended to keep the pets separate from each other at first and to let them get accustomed to one another's scent through a door. —Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 May 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