acclimate

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'acclimate' is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to mean ‘to become accustomed to a new climate or situation'. For example: "It took some time for my family to acclimate to the new city."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Because animals have some ability to acclimate to higher temperatures, scientists hoped that they might be able to adjust their physiology to keep up with global warming," Dr Gunderson added.

Independent

For example, the readiness of many fishes to acclimate to captivity has allowed biologists to study behaviour, physiology, and even ecology under relatively natural conditions.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It takes a while to acclimate oneself to "Silent Light," the most remarkable film to date from the Mexican director Carlos Reygadas.

The New Yorker

Joseph Nwaosu, a Nigerian exporter, has yet to acclimate to the winter damp of Guangzhou, on China's southern coast.

The New Yorker

One of his current projects is to help acclimate U.S. soldiers to the mountains of Afghanistan.

The New Yorker

American and British vessels have been evacuating their civilians from hotspots around the world for decades, but its now abundantly clear that we should acclimate to an age in which China will be doing the same.

The New Yorker

By 1909, the Genesee Pure Food Company, Jell-O's original manufacturer, was clearing more than a million dollars in sales, and Jell-O was being served on Ellis Island, to acclimate immigrants to American cuisine.

The New Yorker

Then I realized that the… Joseph Nwaosu, a Nigerian exporter, has yet to acclimate to the winter damp of Guangzhou, on China's southern coast.

The New Yorker

Listening to the album is a bit like entering a cave; it takes a few moments to acclimate your senses to No Age's methods.

The New Yorker

White Fang learns "to obey the strong and to oppress the weak" — hardly an ideal of socialism — and, while Buck does join a wolf pack by the end of the book, he also learns how to acclimate himself to work.

The New Yorker

He made a little grimace after each sip of coffee, as if still trying to acclimate to the taste.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a gradual process of adjustment, use "acclimate" to emphasize the adaptation to new conditions over time. This is particularly useful when discussing environmental or cultural shifts.

Common error

While "acclimate" and "acclimatize" are often used interchangeably, "acclimate" is broader and can refer to adjusting to any new environment or situation, not just climate. Use "acclimatize" specifically for adapting to climatic changes.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "acclimate" is as an intransitive verb, describing the process of becoming accustomed to a new environment or situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, the word is commonly used and grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Encyclopedias

3%

Science

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Academia

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "acclimate" is a grammatically sound and versatile verb used to describe the process of getting accustomed to a new environment or situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, the word is widely accepted and appropriate for various contexts. It finds frequent use in "News & Media", encyclopedias and scientific writing. While often used interchangeably with "acclimatize", it's essential to remember that "acclimate" has a broader application. When writing, ensure you're emphasizing the gradual adaptation to new conditions. Consider using synonyms such as "adjust", "adapt", or "get used to" for stylistic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

adjust

Refers to making minor changes to fit a new environment or situation; a general term for adaptation.

adapt

Implies a more significant change to fit a new environment or condition.

get used to

Indicates becoming familiar with something through repeated exposure or experience.

become accustomed

Suggests a gradual process of getting comfortable with something new.

familiarize oneself

Focuses on the act of learning and understanding something new.

settle in

Implies becoming comfortable and established in a new place or situation.

conform

Suggests aligning oneself with existing standards or behaviors.

habituate

Refers to becoming accustomed to something through frequent repetition.

integrate

Implies becoming part of a larger group or system.

align

Indicates adjusting to be in agreement or cooperation with something.

FAQs

How is "acclimate" typically used in a sentence?

"Acclimate" is typically used to describe the process of becoming accustomed to a new environment or situation. For example, "It takes time to "acclimate" to a new city" or "Athletes need to "acclimate" to high altitudes".

What can I say instead of "acclimate"?

You can use alternatives like "adjust", "adapt", or "get used to" depending on the specific context. Each alternative carries a slightly different nuance in meaning.

What is the difference between "acclimate" and "acclimatize"?

While often used interchangeably, "acclimate" is broader and refers to adjusting to any new environment or situation, whereas "acclimatize" specifically refers to adapting to climatic changes or altitude.

Which word is correct, "acclimate" or "acclimatize"?

Both "acclimate" and "acclimatize" are correct. "Acclimate" is more general, referring to adaptation to any new environment, while "acclimatize" refers specifically to adaptation to climatic conditions or altitude.