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 of accustom

• introduce
• familiarize
• educate
• orient

Examples of accustom in a Sentence

the task of accustoming new recruits to shipboard life

Recent Examples on the Web

Auriemma said from the beginning of the season that no one on this year’s team could fully fill that role, and finding new leadership would be a process for players accustomed to relying on Bueckers. —Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 18 Mar. 2026

Their combination of size, speed, agility and aggression sets them apart from other invasive reptiles that Floridians may be accustomed to seeing in their backyards. —Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 13 Mar. 2026

TikTok and Instagram have accustomed us to doing everything at breakneck speed, experimenting with disposable trends that quickly run out of steam. —Valentina Bottoni, Vanity Fair, 13 Mar. 2026

But Armando, played with cagy vulnerability by Wagner Moura, who is up for Best Actor in a Leading Role at the Oscars, doesn’t read as a man accustomed to subterfuge. —Michael Snyder, The Atlantic, 13 Mar. 2026

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