acclimatize

verb

ac·​cli·​ma·​tize ə-ˈklī-mə-ˌtīz 

acclimatized; acclimatizing

: acclimate

acclimatization

ə-ˌklī-mə-tə-ˈzā-shən 

noun

acclimatizer noun

Synonyms of acclimatize

• adapt
• adjust
• tailor
• conform
• put
• suit

Examples of acclimatize in a Sentence

The mountain climbers spent a few days acclimatizing themselves to the high altitude.

had lived through several northern winters before she fully acclimatized her wardrobe

Recent Examples on the Web

Teams that learn their fate on Selection Sunday would play opening-round games as early as Tuesday — that’s not much time to acclimatize. —Jon Wilner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026

But Bhatta and Neupane hoped to knock out the whole trip in less than 24 hours in one push — and without acclimatizing. —Gregory Thomas, San Francisco Chronicle, 14 Mar. 2026

This refers to the process of acclimatizing them to outside conditions. —Marianne Willburn, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Mar. 2026

And people with the sickle-cell trait might be well-advised to acclimatize before doing sports at high altitudes. —Roxanne Khamsi, The Atlantic, 15 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

ad- + climate + -ize (perhaps modeled on French acclimater) — more at acclimate

First Known Use

1802, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for acclimatize

• actualize
• antagonize
• apologise
• apologize
• capitalize
• categorize
• characterize
• commercialize
• conceptualize
• contrariwise
• criminalize
• decentralize

Kids Definition

acclimatize

verb

ac·​cli·​ma·​tize ə-ˈklī-mə-ˌtīz 

acclimatized; acclimatizing

: acclimate

acclimatization

ə-ˌklī-mət-ə-ˈzā-shən 

noun

Medical Definition

acclimatize

verb

ac·​cli·​ma·​tize

variants or British acclimatise

ə-ˈklī-mə-ˌtīz 

acclimatized or British acclimatised; acclimatizing or British acclimatising

transitive verb

: to adapt to a new temperature, altitude, climate, environment, or situation

intransitive verb

: to become acclimatized

acclimatization noun

or British acclimatisation

ə-ˌklī-mət-ə-ˈzā-shən