accustomed

1 of 2

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

accustomed

2 of 2

past tense and past participle of accustom

Synonyms of accustomed

Adjective

• 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

Adjective

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

Adjective

These employees have grown accustomed to an environment defined by rapid change, and may be looking at leadership to protect speed, avoid adding bureaucracy and invest for growth. — Suzanne Konstance, Forbes.com, 6 Nov. 2026

From this perspective, Beijing is also dismissive of foreign complaints about unfair market interventions or trade imbalances as the sour grapes of rich countries that had grown accustomed to rent-seeking technology monopolies. — Oliver Melton, Foreign Affairs, 5 Nov. 2026

As a reporter, Karni isn’t accustomed to writing about herself, so the experience gave her a greater appreciation for those who do. — Alex Jhamb Burns, Vogue, 3 Nov. 2026

To anyone accustomed to the usual genealogies of either Judd or late-twentieth-century architecture, his choice of Alexander might have been startling. — Julian Rose, Artforum, 1 Nov. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

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

First Known Use

Adjective

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