Vocabulary Spotlight

Acclimate

Part of Speech: Verb

Definition: To become accustomed to a new climate, environment, or situation.

“She took time to acclimate to the colder climate after moving to Canada.”

Pronunciation

[AK-luh-mayt]

Synonyms, Antonyms & Related Words

Synonyms

Adapt
Adjust
Conform
Habituate
Accommodate

Antonyms

Resist
Oppose
Reject
Deny
Dissent

Related Words

Acclimatization
Acclimatable
Acclimatize

Word Origin

Originating in the 18th century, “acclimate” is derived from the French “acclimater,” meaning “to adapt to a new climate.”

Word Family

Verb: Acclimate – To become accustomed to a new environment.

Noun: Acclimatization – The process of acclimating.

Related Verb: Acclimatize – Another form meaning to adjust to new conditions.

Mnemonics

Think “AC” (air conditioning) helps you acclimate to hot weather by keeping cool.

Industry-specific Usage

Biology

Species can acclimate to environmental changes to survive in varying climates.

Human Resources

New employees acclimate to company culture through orientation and training.

Travel

Travelers often need time to acclimate to different time zones and climates.

In Context

Acclimating is a vital process in life, whether adjusting to a new job, country, or lifestyle. It highlights resilience and adaptability in diverse circumstances.

Vocabulary Challenges

1. Which is a synonym of “Acclimate”?

Adapt
Reject
Deny
Ignore

‘Adapt’ is the correct answer, as it means to adjust to new circumstances, similar to “acclimate.”

2. Fill in the blank: It took several weeks for the hiker to _______ to the high altitudes.

resist
deny
acclimate
oppose

‘Acclimate’ fits best here, referring to adjusting to the high altitude conditions.

3. In which context would “acclimate” be most appropriate?

Ignoring the weather
Refusing to learn a new skill
Dismissing others’ opinions
Moving to a different country and adjusting to the culture

‘Moving to a different country’ is appropriate as acclimate involves adjusting to new environments.