accommodate

/əˈkɑːmədeɪt/

Say it: uh-KOM-uh-dayt

1. verb To provide lodging or sufficient space for someone or something.
The hotel can accommodate up to 300 guests.
2. verb To fit in with the wishes or needs of someone; to do a favor for.
We will do our best to accommodate your request for a late checkout.
3. verb To adapt to or make consistent with something new.
She had to accommodate her lifestyle to her new, smaller apartment.

📖 Seen in the wild

The hotel can accommodate up to 200 guests for the conference.
collected by @vocablast

✏️ accommodate in a sentence

The new stadium was designed to accommodate 80,000 spectators.
Management was willing to accommodate the union's demands on safety.
His eyes took a moment to accommodate to the darkness of the cave.
The chef is happy to accommodate dietary restrictions if you let him know in advance.
The original blueprint must be changed to accommodate the new elevator shaft.
It was difficult to accommodate the wildly different opinions within the committee.
The shuttle bus can accommodate two wheelchairs at a time.

🔁 Synonyms & antonyms

oblige house adapt hold lodge contain serve help adjust

oblige · implies doing a favor out of courtesy or duty.

house · refers more specifically to providing a physical dwelling.

adapt · focuses on the process of changing to fit new conditions.

hold · a more general and less formal term for capacity.

Opposites: inconvenience, hinder, obstruct, reject, bother

🌱 Where it comes from

The word comes from the Latin 'accommodare', meaning 'to make fitting'. It's formed from 'ad-' (to) and 'commodus' (fitting, suitable). This core idea of making something fit or suitable perfectly explains its modern uses, from fitting people into a room to fitting your plans to someone's needs.

🧩 How it's used

Common patterns:

accommodate the needs ofaccommodate a requesthappy to accommodatedesigned to accommodateaccommodate changes

The most common error with 'accommodate' is its spelling; remember the double 'c' and double 'm'. While versatile, it carries a slightly formal tone. In casual conversation, you might say 'The car fits five people' instead of 'The car accommodates five people'. The word is useful for its polite and professional feel, especially when discussing service or logistics.

Word family: accommodation, accommodating, accommodative

💬 Quick answers

What does 'accommodate' mean?

It has two main meanings: to provide space or lodging for someone, or to help someone by fitting in with their needs or requests.

How do you spell 'accommodate'?

The most common mistake is the spelling. Remember it has two sets of double letters: double 'c' and double 'm'.

What's the difference between 'accommodate' and 'oblige'?

To 'oblige' someone is to do them a favor out of kindness or duty. 'Accommodate' is broader; it can mean obliging someone, but it also covers providing space or adapting to a situation.

Is 'accommodate' a formal word?

It is considered a neutral to formal word. It is standard in professional, academic, and polite conversation but might sound a bit stiff in very casual settings.

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