Word
accustomed
Phoneticsac·cus·tomed, stress on the second syllable
US/əˈkəstəmd/
UK/ɐkˈʌstəmd/
Definitions
01used to something
B2 · Upper Intermediate Formal
adj. familiar with something because you have done it or experienced it often.
adj. familiar with something through repeated experience or habit; adapted to specific conditions.
“It took a few weeks, but I am finally accustomed to the cold weather here.”
“After years of living in the city, she found herself so accustomed to the constant background noise that the silence of the countryside kept her awake.”
Usage
Usually follows the verb 'to be' or 'to become' and takes the preposition 'to'.
Pitfall
I am accustomed to wake up early.
I am accustomed to waking up early.
The word 'to' here is a preposition, so it must be followed by a noun or a gerund (-ing form), not the base verb.
Antonyms
02usual or customary
C1 · Advanced Formal · Literary
adj. describing something that is your normal habit or the usual way things are done.
adj. customary or usual; describing an action, position, or object that is established by habit.
“He sat down in his accustomed seat at the head of the table.”
“The diplomat spoke with his accustomed elegance, navigating the difficult questions without causing any offense to the visiting delegation.”
Usage
Often placed before the noun it describes.
Antonyms
Real-World Examples
“This drop in temperature might come as a bit of a shock for some after being accustomed to the hotter-than-average weather we've seen for weeks.” “This ensures that Sartore will have better access to the animals and that they’ll be accustomed to being around people.” “The researchers also noted that the chimpanzees in this study are accustomed to living around humans and regularly encounter objects that do not exist in the wild.” Etymology
From accustom + -ed.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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