What does acclimatised mean?
Acclimatised means having become accustomed to a particular climate, environment, or set of conditions. The word is especially common in British English and is often used for people, animals, plants, and organisms that have gradually adjusted to heat, cold, altitude, humidity, or another environmental feature. It can also extend metaphorically to people adapting to a new workplace, community, or routine. For example, a visitor may become acclimatised to the altitude, while a new employee may become acclimatised to a demanding team environment. The word suggests adjustment through exposure and time, rather than a sudden or complete change. It is more specific than the general term "adapted" and conveys the process of becoming familiar with unfamiliar conditions. In US English, the usual spelling is "acclimatized."
adjectiveHaving become accustomed to a particular climate, environment, or set of conditions. It can also mean adapted to those conditions through gradual exposure or experience.
- Accustomed to or adapted to a particular climate, environment, or set of conditions.
"After several weeks in the mountains, she was fully acclimatised to the thin, cold air."
"The soldiers were acclimatised to the desert heat within a few days."
"New employees soon became acclimatised to the company's working practices."
Acclimatised is more than a weather word: it describes the moment when a newcomer stops merely coping and starts fitting in.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does acclimatised come from?
The word derives from the English adaptation of French acclimater, meaning to make accustomed to a climate or environment. The French word draws on Greek klima, meaning slope or region, which is also the source of climate, clime, and related words. The British form uses the -ised spelling, while the American form generally uses -ized.
Related word forms
How acclimatised is actually used
This is a standard British spelling and is relatively formal, especially in scientific, geographical, and travel contexts. It is more commonly used of people, animals, plants, or organisms adjusting to environmental conditions, although it can also describe adjustment to a new workplace or social setting.
Easily confused with acclimatised
This is the standard US spelling of the British form "acclimatised"; the meaning and grammatical use are otherwise the same.