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

For players accustomed to grinding out every inch of content out of their games, there might be a limited pool of rewards compared to games like Call of Duty or Fortnite that dole out endless updates season after season. —Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 19 June 2025

Many of the arrests nationwide appear to be taking place in immigration court, which has sparked fear among asylum-seekers and immigrants accustomed to remaining free while judges grind through a backlog of 3.6 million cases, typically taking years to reach a decision. —Carolyn Stein, Chicago Tribune, 15 June 2025

Mae is accustomed to making decisions and standing by them. —Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 10 June 2025

Many men, accustomed to bottling up their feelings, are already afraid to show what’s in their heart and on their mind. —Jeremy Gordon, The Atlantic, 9 June 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