accustom

verb

ac·​cus·​tom ə-ˈkə-stəm How to pronounce accustom (audio)
accustomed; accustoming; accustoms

transitive verb

: to make familiar with something through use or experience
accustomation noun

Examples of accustom in a Sentence

the task of accustoming new recruits to shipboard life
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The city of Houston is never short on spectacle, but even in a town accustomed to grand gestures, this was something different. Shelby Stewart, Essence, 17 Mar. 2025 That conversation following the Red Storm’s 79-63 victory over Marquette in the Big East tournament semifinals continued a surreal season for a program steeped in tradition but accustomed to heartbreak in recent years. Tim Casey, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025 The new pact comes after NBCUniversal tore up its old Olympics playbook and focused more intently on reaching younger sports fans who are accustomed to getting clips and streams of their favorite events at moments of their own choosing. Brian Steinberg, Variety, 13 Mar. 2025 Overall, several advocates say the first step is simply spreading awareness about the resources that already exist in the business, from unions to nonprofits to charities, that may not be familiar to developing artists that are accustomed to doing so much on their own. Katie Kilkenny, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for accustom

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of accustom was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Accustom.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/accustom. Accessed 22 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

accustom

verb
ac·​cus·​tom ə-ˈkəs-təm How to pronounce accustom (audio)
: to make familiar

More from Merriam-Webster on accustom

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