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Synonyms

accommodating

American  
[uh-kom-uh-dey-ting] / əˈkɒm əˌdeɪ tɪŋ /

adjective

  1. easy to deal with; eager to help or please; obliging.


accommodating British  
/ əˈkɒməˌdeɪtɪŋ /

adjective

  1. willing to help; kind; obliging

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Usage

What does accommodating mean? The adjective accommodating means eager or willing to help or please. It comes from the continuous tense (-ing form) of the verb accommodate, which means to do someone a favor or meet their needs or wants in some way, as in You don’t have to accommodate everyone all the time—sometimes the answer should be no. To accommodate a request is to honor it—to do what has been asked, as in They were kind enough to accommodate my special requests. Example: We can’t thank you enough—you’ve been so accommodating and have made us feel so welcome.

Other Word Forms

  • accommodatingly adverb
  • nonaccommodating adjective
  • nonaccommodatingly adverb
  • nonaccommodatingness noun
  • preaccommodatingly adverb
  • superaccommodating adjective
  • unaccommodating adjective
  • unaccommodatingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of accommodating

First recorded in 1610–20; accommodat(e) + -ing 2

Explanation

If you are part of a group that has accommodating members, you’re very fortunate. Accommodating describes those who are easy to get along with and willing to help you. Accommodating is the adjective form of the verb accommodate, and it’s used to describe those who are cheerfully willing to make small adjustments to help you out. The waiter who is happy to serve the dressing on the side, give you extra cheese on the burger, and swap French fries for mashed potatoes, all because that's how you want it? Definitely accommodating.

Keep Reading on Vocabulary.com

Vocabulary lists containing accommodating

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.

Tedros also said that the headquarters of the Ministry of Public Health, which "hosts five shelters accommodating more than 5,000 people", is in the evacuation area.

From BBC • Apr. 9, 2026

It put the cost of accommodating these individuals at £6m.

From Barron's • Mar. 18, 2026

Most places are unique, beautiful and acceptably clean, while the hosts have been incredibly accommodating.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 1, 2026

Considerable work still needs to be done on the village, which will ultimately include 12 homes, each accommodating six children.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 19, 2026

As Tom listened, a preacher read Nichols’s final statement: “Sheriff White has been very accommodating to me indeed. I feel prepared to meet death. My soul is at peace with all mankind.”

From "Killers of the Flower Moon" by David Grann