Words / B2

uh-KUST-uh-md/əˈkʌstəmd/

Accustomed to means used to something, so it feels normal: accustomed to + noun / + -ing. Used to is the everyday phrase, and the one to use in speech. Habitual describes a repeated action, not a feeling of familiarity. Accustom yourself to is a rarer verb pattern, and you must not drop to (not “accustomed getting up”).

Meaning

Used to something, so it feels normal (accustomed to).

Examples

• “She is accustomed to getting up early.”
• “Staff are accustomed to last-minute timetable changes.”
• “I am still not accustomed to the noise of the city.”

Good to know

accustomed to + noun/-ing. Everyday: used to. Slightly more formal than used to.

Near in meaning

used to

New