accustom
Americanverb (used with object)
verb
Other Word Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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accustomsimple
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accustomssimple
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have accustomedperfect
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has accustomedperfect
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are accustomingprogressive
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am accustomingprogressive
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is accustomingprogressive
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have been accustomingperfect progressive
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has been accustomingperfect progressive
Past
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accustomedsimple
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had accustomedperfect
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was accustomingprogressive
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were accustomingprogressive
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had been accustomingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of accustom
First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English word from Middle French word acoustumer. See ac-, custom
Explanation
The verb accustom means to become used to or familiar with something; to make something a habit. If there is a new baby in your family, you will most likely become accustomed to changing diapers. Although the verb accustom looks like it should be related to the word custom, it actually comes through costume, through the Old French acostumer, with à, meaning "to," and costume, meaning "fashion or habit." Now it retains the meaning to make something a habit. You can accustom yourself to loud sirens if you live in a city or to the sound of crickets if you live in the country. Parents often cannot become accustomed to the musical taste of their kids.
Vocabulary lists containing accustom
List 4
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"To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee, Chapters 7–11
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Tears of a Tiger
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Accustom the child to hear 'no' and 'must,' but let these hard words be softened by voice and manner—an art in which every true mother excels.
From The Physical Life of Woman: Advice to the Maiden, Wife and Mother by Napheys, George H. (George Henry)
Accustom yourself to endeavour to look attentively upon a careless and inconsiderate world, which, while it is in such imminent peril, is so ignorant of its danger.
From A Practical View of the Prevailing Religious System of Professed Christians, in the Middle and Higher Classes in this Country, Contrasted with Real Christianity. by Wilberforce, William
Accustom yourself to regular hours as to sleeping, eating, and the morning functions.
From The Plattsburg Manual A Handbook for Military Training by Ellis, Olin Oglesby
Accustom yourself to defining the sounds you hear, and concentrating on a special one, as that of a passing tram, or a ticking watch.
From Epilepsy, Hysteria, and Neurasthenia Their Causes, Symptoms, & Treatment by Briggs, Isaac George
Accustom yourself, then, by degrees thus to worship Him, to beg His grace, to offer Him your heart from time to time in the midst of your business, even every moment, if you can.
From The Practice of the Presence of God the Best Rule of a Holy Life by Lawrence, of the Resurrection, Brother
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
