accommodate

[ uh-kom-uh-deyt ]

verb (used with object)

, ac·com·mo·dat·ed, ac·com·mo·dat·ing.

1. to do a kindness or a favor to; oblige:

   to accommodate a friend by helping him move to a new apartment.

   Synonyms: abet, help, assist, aid, serve

   Antonyms: inconvenience

2. to provide suitably; supply (usually followed by with ):

   The officials were accommodated with seats toward the front of the room.

3. to lend money to:

   Can you accommodate him, or are you short of cash?

4. to provide with a room and sometimes with food.
5. to furnish with accommodations, as food and lodgings.
6. to have or make room for:

   Will this elevator accommodate 10 people?

7. to make suitable or consistent; adapt:

   to accommodate oneself to circumstances.

   Synonyms: suit, fit

8. to bring into harmony or make adjustments or allowances for:

   to accommodate differences;

   to accommodate your busy schedule.

   Synonyms: harmonize, compose

verb (used without object)

, ac·com·mo·dat·ed, ac·com·mo·dat·ing.

1. to become adjusted or adapted.
2. to become reconciled; agree.

accommodate

/ əˈkɒməˌdeɪt /

verb

1. tr to supply or provide, esp with lodging or board and lodging
2. tr to oblige or do a favour for
3. to adjust or become adjusted; adapt
4. tr to bring into harmony; reconcile
5. tr to allow room for; contain
6. tr to lend money to, esp on a temporary basis until a formal loan has been arranged

Derived Forms

• acˈcommoˌdative, adjective

Other Words From

• ac·com·mo·da·ble [uh, -, kom, -, uh, -d, uh, -b, uh, l], adjective
• non·ac·com·mo·da·ble adjective
• pre·ac·com·mo·date verb (used with object) preaccommodated preaccommodating
• re·ac·com·mo·date verb reaccommodated reaccommodating
• un·ac·com·mo·da·ble adjective
• un·der·ac·com·mo·dat·ed adjective
• well-ac·com·mo·dat·ed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of accommodate¹

First recorded in 1515–25; from Latin accommodātus “adjusted,” past participle of accommodāre “to adjust,” from ac- ac- + commod(us) “convenient, fitting, suitable” ( com-, mode )

Word History and Origins

Origin of accommodate¹

C16: from Latin accommodāre to make fit, from ad- to + commodus having the proper measure

Synonym Study

See oblige. See contain.

Example Sentences

But instead of a baby they were raising a widower’s three young daughters and expanded their San Francisco home to accommodate the growing family.

From Los Angeles Times

Deca has transformed outdated sites to accommodate new technologies.

From Los Angeles Times

This ignores entirely the decision to move the party to the center to accommodate Liz Cheney and her small army of disaffected Republicans who had been exiled from their own party.

From Salon

"Its size has doubled over time, partly due to the need to accommodate future provision for local rail services," the spokesperson added.

From BBC

A number of nearby residents were evacuated, with Abergavenny Leisure Centre opened up to accommodate those affected and some still unable to return to their homes.

From BBC

Related Words

• contain
• entertain
• hold
• rent
• shelter
• take in
• welcome