acclimatise

IPA/ɐklˈaɪmɐtˌaɪz/
IPA/ɐklˈaɪmɐtˌaɪz/

acclimatise — verb

1. to become physically or mentally used to a new place, climate, or way of living,

1.verbtransitive / intransitiveB2
Definition

to become physically or mentally used to a new place, climate, or way of living, or to help a person, animal, or plant do this

Example

After moving from Vietnam to Norway, Lien took months to acclimatise to the dark, cold winters.

intransitive: acclimatise + to + noun phrase

The zookeepers gradually acclimatised the rescued penguins to the warmer outdoor pond before releasing them.

transitive: acclimatise + object + to + noun phrase

Common collocations
  • acclimatise to [climate/altitude/heat/cold]
  • become acclimatised to [something]
  • acclimatise oneself to [something]
  • gradually/slowly acclimatise
Synonyms
  • adapt

    broader meaning — covers physical, social, and cultural adjustment; 'acclimatise' is more specific to physical environment

  • adjust

    more general and less formal; often used for small modifications rather than full environmental adaptation

  • acclimate

    American English variant of 'acclimatise'; identical in meaning

  • get used to

    informal and everyday; works in the same contexts but less precise

Grammar Patterns

acclimatise + to + noun phrase

acclimatise + object + to + noun phrase

acclimatise + oneself + to + noun phrase

be acclimatised + to + noun phrase

Usage Note

Often followed by 'to'. Frequently used in the passive voice ('be acclimatised to') or with a reflexive pronoun ('acclimatise oneself to'). The American spelling is 'acclimatize'.

Common Mistakes

We need to acclimatise the new software to our system.
We need to adapt the new software to our system.
'acclimatise' refers to living things adjusting to physical or environmental conditions, not to adapting technology or processes.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

Among these similar words, 'adapt' is the broadest, covering any kind of change — physical, social, or behavioural. 'Adjust' is more specific to small modifications that help fit new circumstances without the implication of a long process. 'Acclimatise' (and its US variant 'acclimate') refers specifically to getting used to physical environments — climate, altitude, temperature, or terrain. 'Get used to' is the everyday, informal equivalent that works in any context. For example: 'The football team adapted their tactics to the wet pitch,' but 'The hikers needed three days to acclimatise to the thin mountain air.' Use 'acclimatise' when the focus is on the body or a living thing adjusting to a physical environment.

adapt ↗adjust ↗acclimate ↗get used to

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • acclimatise to
  • become acclimatised to
  • acclimatise oneself to

Prepositions

Etymology

FrenchEnglish

From French 'acclimater' (to a climate), formed from 'climat' (climate). The French word originally described helping plants adjust to a new climate after being moved. English borrowed it in the early 19th century, adding the '-ise' verb suffix. The first recorded uses were about animals and crops transported to foreign colonies; by the late 1800s the meaning had widened to include people adjusting to any new environment.