accustom

verb

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

transitive verb

: to make familiar with something through use or experience
accustomation
ə-ˌkə-stə-ˈmā-shən How to pronounce accustom (audio)
noun

Synonyms of accustom

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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.
As the chief medical examiner for a county that stores the most human remains in the nation, Greg Hess has for decades been accustomed to the many that arrive at his office every year after being found in the vast and rugged southern Arizona desert. — Emma Tucker, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026 That's particularly relevant for Americans accustomed to booking spontaneous Europe trips. — Bailey Berg, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026 Wall Street, which is accustomed to robust growth from Walmart, reacted swiftly to the lukewarm sales numbers, and the company’s stock plunged 9% Thursday. — Kayla Steinberg, NBC news, 20 Aug. 2026 Silicon Valley, previously accustomed to being feted with generous tax breaks, is now going on a charm offensive with marketing, community projects and local outreach, with mixed results. — Bloomberg, Mercury News, 20 Aug. 2026 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

Phrases Containing accustom

Rhymes for accustom

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Browse Nearby Words

accusive
accustom
accustomable
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Cite this Entry

“Accustom.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/accustom. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

accustom

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