accustomed

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "accustomed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something or someone that is familiar with a certain situation or circumstance. For example, "He was accustomed to working long hours."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

All of this means that the plummeting rouble is likely to have a disastrous effect on everyone, not just the lucky few who have become accustomed to weekending in the south of France.

The Guardian

Even at their respective football peaks, Ayr United and Kilmarnock weren't accustomed to frequent competitive meetings.

The Guardian - Sport

One passes the other as if they were two blokes simply accustomed to bumping into one another.

The Guardian - Arts

When the stage betakes itself to materials of this kind for a novelty, we suppose it must be taken as an admission that the resources on which it has been accustomed to rely are exhausted.

The Guardian

Immigrants were accustomed to hearing white people complain, but in general, we had a sense that the Notting Hill riots in 1958 had been a watershed, after which a liberal consensus had emerged among the politicians which would, somehow, protect us if the worst came to the worst.

The Guardian

There has been no great controversy over Capello's earnings in Russia, however, with the country accustomed to paying international managers such as Dick Advocaat and Guus Hiddink exorbitant salaries.

The Guardian - Sport

That gradually grew, to the point where she was so accustomed to getting her own way that she became overconfident; less and less dependent on consultation with colleagues, more and more dependent on a narrow circle.

The Guardian

His debut programme with Monte Carlo was a triple bill by William Forsythe, Nacho Duato and himself – works very different from the traditional repertory to which Monaco was accustomed.

The Guardian

Melbourne slumped to their 10th straight loss, but it was more akin to the respectable sort that long-suffering fans had grown accustomed to in the opening half of the season.

The Guardian - Sport

The personalised digital experience we are accustomed to when shopping online should also translate in-store too.

The Guardian

Over time, his eye had grown accustomed to the bleached pigments of the continent where he had made his life.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "accustomed" to describe a state that has been developed over a period. For instance, "He became accustomed to the noise of the city" implies a gradual adjustment.

Common error

Avoid omitting the preposition "to" after "accustomed". It is grammatically incorrect to say "accustomed the change"; instead, use "accustomed to the change".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "accustomed" is as an adjective, typically used in the predicate position following a linking verb (e.g., "is", "become"). It describes a state of being familiar or habituated to something. Ludwig and Ludwig AI confirms this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "accustomed" is a versatile adjective signifying familiarity or habituation, as validated by Ludwig. It's most frequently used in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts. It's crucial to follow "accustomed" with the preposition "to". While alternatives like "used to" and "familiar with" exist, "accustomed" maintains a neutral tone suitable for various settings. As per Ludwig, the adjective is widely recognized as grammatically correct. Furthermore "accustomed" serves to suggest an adaptation to something, and not a habit from the past.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

used to

A more common and versatile synonym indicating familiarity or habit.

familiar with

Focuses on having knowledge or experience of something.

in the habit of

Emphasizes a regular pattern or routine.

adapted to

Highlights the process of adjusting to new conditions.

comfortable with

Indicates a feeling of ease and acceptance.

no stranger to

Implies frequent or significant exposure.

at ease with

Stresses a state of relaxation and confidence.

inured to

Suggests a hardened or desensitized state.

acquainted with

Formal way of saying familiar with, usually in professional settings.

trained to

Highlights formal instruction and proficiency.

FAQs

How to use "accustomed" in a sentence?

You can use "accustomed" to describe someone or something that is familiar with a particular situation or condition. For instance, "She is "accustomed to working long hours"".

What can I say instead of "accustomed"?

Alternatives include "used to", "familiar with", or "adapted to", depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "accustomed to" or "accustomed with"?

"Accustomed to" is the correct form. "Accustomed with" is grammatically incorrect. Always use the preposition "to" after "accustomed".

What's the difference between "accustomed to" and "used to"?

While both indicate familiarity, "used to" often refers to past habits or states that are no longer true, whereas "accustomed to" simply describes a current state of being familiar or comfortable. For example, "I used to smoke" vs. "I am "accustomed to the smell"".