Definition

1. Verb:
   • To make someone or something psychologically or physically used to something through repeated exposure or experience.
   • To familiarize by custom or habit.

Usage

The verb "accustom" is used to describe the process of becoming familiar with a new situation, condition, or environment. It is typically followed by the preposition "to" and a noun or gerund. - Structure: accustom [someone/oneself] to [something] - It is often used in the passive voice (be/become/get accustomed to) or in a reflexive construction (accustom oneself to).

Examples

• Active Voice:
  • The trainer worked to accustom the young horse to the saddle.
  • You must accustom yourself to the cold weather if you move north.
• Reflexive:
  • She slowly accustomed herself to the new software.
• Passive Voice (Common):
  • He quickly became accustomed to the city's noise.
  • I am not yet accustomed to working such long hours.

Advanced Usage

• "To be accustomed to": This is a common adjectival phrase meaning "to be in the habit of" or "to be used to." It functions similarly to "used to."
  • She is accustomed to a life of luxury.
  • They are accustomed to getting up early.

Variants and Related Words

• Accustomed (adjective): Usual; customary.
  • He took his accustomed seat at the head of the table.
• Accustomization (noun): (Less common) The process of becoming accustomed.
• Habituate (verb): A close synonym, often used in more formal or scientific contexts.

Synonyms

• Acclimate: To become accustomed to a new climate or environment.
• Adapt: To adjust to new conditions.
• Familiarize: To make (someone) knowledgeable or conversant with something.
• Inure: To become used to something undesirable.

Phrasal Verbs

Note: "Accustom" itself does not form standard phrasal verbs. The related meaning is carried by the phrase "accustom to."

Related Idioms

• "To be a creature of habit": This idiom describes someone who is very accustomed to a fixed routine, similar to being deeply accustomed to their ways.
  • He always eats lunch at exactly 1 p.m.; he's a creature of habit.

Verb

1. make psychologically or physically used (to something)
   • She became habituated to the background music