accustomed

Meanings

1. 1adjectiveafter a verb

   Familiar with something through regular experience, so it no longer surprises or bothers you.

   Grammar: Usually predicative with to: be accustomed to driving here, not 'accustomed driving'.

   Patterns

   • be accustomed to something
   • be accustomed to doing something
   • grow accustomed to something

   I am accustomed to the early shift now.

   She grew accustomed to hearing the trains at night.

2. 2adjectivebefore a nounliterary

   Usual or regular for a particular person or place.

   Grammar: Goes before a noun: her accustomed seat; this use is less common and somewhat literary.

   Patterns

   • one's accustomed place
   • the accustomed routine
   • at one's accustomed time

   He took his accustomed seat by the window.

   The meeting began at the accustomed hour.

Word forms

Common combinations

be accustomed to doing something

They are accustomed to working long hours.

grow accustomed to something

We grew accustomed to the quiet of the village.

well accustomed

The nurses are well accustomed to emergencies.

one's accustomed routine

Breakfast at seven was her accustomed routine.

Synonyms and how they differ

used to

Used to is the informal everyday phrase; accustomed is slightly more formal and often written.

habituated

Habituated is formal or technical and often implies a trained or repeated response.

familiar

Familiar with means knowing something well; accustomed stresses no longer being troubled by it.

Opposites

Word family

accustom verb

to make familiar through habit.

custom noun

usual practice or tradition.

customary adjective

usual; according to custom.

Commonly confused: accustomed or used to? accustomed or customary?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “accustomed”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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