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accommodate

house / lodge / oblige / adapt

/əˈkɒməˌdeɪt/

Transitive VerbIntransitive Verb
past: accommodatedpp: accommodateding: accommodating

The primary sense is about creating spaceeither physical or metaphoricalto fit something in. It suggests a flexible adjustment to ensure a need is met, whether that means providing a room for a guest or altering a schedule for a colleague. In a social or interpersonal context, it carries a nuance of helpfulness and compromise. To accommodate someone often implies a degree of self-sacrifice or yielding to another's preferences to avoid conflict or provide comfort. Unlike 'adapt', which focuses on the subject changing itself to survive or fit in, 'accommodate' emphasizes the act of making room for others. It is widely used in professional and hospitality contexts, maintaining a polite, formal, and cooperative tone.

💬Casual Conversation

🎬Late afternoon, Maya is trying to finalize plans for a friend's birthday party.
Maya

Are you actually going to help with the setup for Chloe's party or what?

Maya
Ryan
Ryan

I can't tonight, I'm busy. Can't you just accommodate a later start?

💡
Maya, the 'mom' of the group, is exasperated with Ryan's typical slacker behavior and his passive expectation that she will adjust her plans to fit his. Ryan, being oblivious, casually asks Maya to 'accommodate' his schedule, implying that his prior commitments (likely gaming) take precedence and she should simply work around them without complaint.

Meanings

Transitive Verbhouse
[~ someone][~ something]

To provide lodging or sufficient space for someone or something.

"The hotel can accommodate up to three hundred guests."

Transitive Verblodge
[~ someone][~ something]

To fit in with the wishes or needs of someone.

"We will do our best to accommodate your special requests."

Transitive Verboblige
[~ someone][~ something]

To adapt or adjust something to suit a new purpose or situation.

"The company had to accommodate its business model to the changing market."

Intransitive Verbadapt

To adjust oneself to new conditions or a different environment.

"It took several months for the new employees to accommodate themselves to the corporate culture."

Collocations & Compounds

accommodate growth

To provide space or resources for an increase in size or numbers.

The new building is designed to accommodate growth for the next twenty years.

accommodate demand

To provide or supply what is needed to meet a particular demand.

The airline struggled to accommodate demand during the holiday season.

accommodate guests

To provide lodging or hospitality for visitors.

The hotel can accommodate guests in over 200 rooms.

accommodate changes

To adapt or adjust to new circumstances or requirements.

The software needs to be flexible enough to accommodate changes in user preferences.

accommodate the disabled

To provide facilities or adjustments that make something accessible or usable for people with disabilities.

New ramps were installed to accommodate the disabled.

Etymology

The word 'accommodate' comes from the Latin word 'accommodare', meaning 'to make fit' or 'to adapt'. It is formed from 'ad-' (meaning 'to') and 'commodus' (meaning 'fitting, convenient'). The word entered English in the early 17th century, initially with the meaning of 'to make suitable' or 'to adapt'. The sense of 'providing lodging or space' developed later.

Related Words

Last Updated: June 8, 2026Report an Error