Meaning & use
acclimatized vs acclimated
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Meanings
phrasefixed phrase
A comparison of two past-tense verbs that both mean 'became used to a new climate, place, or situation'.
Grammar: Used as a heading or in discussion; the two words themselves are past participles that usually follow 'have' or 'be'.
Patterns
- be acclimatized to something
- be acclimated to something
- acclimatized vs acclimated
The article explains the difference between 'acclimatized vs acclimated' for learners of English.
After a week in the mountains, she was fully acclimatized to the thin air.
New employees are quickly acclimated to the company's computer system.
verbtransitive or intransitiveBritish
To have become accustomed to a new environment, especially a different climate or altitude.
Grammar: Often used with 'to' or 'to + -ing': acclimatized to heat; acclimated to working nights.
Patterns
- acclimatize to something
- acclimatize yourself to something
- become acclimatized to something
It took the climbers several days to acclimatize to the high altitude.
Plants from the tropics must acclimatize gradually before they are moved outdoors.
She acclimatized herself to the cold by taking short walks each morning.
verbtransitive or intransitiveAmerican
To have become familiar with a new situation, job, or way of life.
Grammar: American spelling and usage; often used with 'to': acclimated to city life.
Patterns
- acclimate to something
- acclimate someone to something
- get acclimated to something
The exchange students needed time to acclimate to American classrooms.
He acclimated quickly to the fast pace of the newsroom.
It can take months to acclimate your body to a night-shift schedule.
Common combinations
- acclimatized to the heat
- The runners were acclimatized to the heat after training in Florida.
- acclimated to the altitude
- Tourists often feel dizzy until they are acclimated to the altitude.
- fully acclimatized
- She was fully acclimatized by the end of her second week.
- quickly acclimated
- The new hires quickly acclimated to the office culture.
Synonyms and how they differ
- adapted
- Focuses on change to fit new conditions and is more general; 'acclimatized' specifically suggests a gradual physical or environmental adjustment.
- adjusted
- Often used for changes in behavior or attitude rather than climate; 'acclimated' fits better for weather or altitude.
Word family
- acclimatization noun
- The process of becoming used to a new climate or situation.
- acclimation noun
- American noun for the same process.
Commonly confused: acclimatized vs acclimated or acclaimed?
acclimatized vs acclimated vs acclaimed
Means praised publicly, not used to a new environment; a spelling and sound confusion.
Practice
Which sentence uses the American English form correctly?
Choose one answer.
American English prefers 'acclimated' and the correct preposition is 'to'. 'Acclimatized' is more British, and 'with' does not fit the pattern.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “acclimatized vs acclimated”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.