Definition of accommodate

Short definition: The word accommodate means to provide space for someone, make adjustments, or meet specific needs. People use it when talking about housing, schedules, services, or changing plans so everyone can be included.

Looking for a clear and natural explanation of the word accommodate? The word accommodate is often used when we talk about making space for people, adjusting plans, or being flexible so everyone can feel comfortable. It can mean providing a place to stay, changing arrangements to fit someone’s needs, or even learning how to accept different ideas and lifestyles. In daily life, accommodate is closely connected to kindness, patience, and the willingness to adapt. Below, each meaning is explained in a relaxed, real-life way with long examples that sound natural in everyday conversations.

Verb forms: accommodate, accommodates, accommodating, accommodated
Related: accommodation n., accommodating adj.
Syllable: ac-com-mo-date

1. To provide a place for someone to stay or to give them space in a building or area.
   The hotel can accommodate more than two hundred guests, making it a popular choice for weddings and large family events.
   During the festival, local families accommodated visitors in their homes, turning strangers into friends.
   The new hall was built to accommodate both students and staff, giving everyone enough space to work comfortably.

   Synonyms: house, lodge, host, provide space for, give room to, shelter, receive guests, fit in, take in, board, offer lodging, provide accommodation
   Antonyms: exclude, turn away, reject, refuse entry to, evict, expel, remove, crowd out, shut out, deny space to, push out, displace

2. To change plans or arrangements so they suit someone’s needs or situation.
   The manager agreed to accommodate her schedule, allowing her to work from home while caring for her family.
   They tried their best to accommodate everyone’s preferences, even though it was difficult to satisfy all requests.
   The school made special efforts to accommodate students with disabilities, ensuring that learning remained accessible to all.

   Synonyms: adjust to, adapt to, make room for, fit around, be flexible for, modify plans for, tailor to, arrange for, cater to, meet needs of, bend for, make allowances for
   Antonyms: ignore needs, refuse to adjust, stay rigid, reject requests, deny flexibility, stick to rules, be inflexible, dismiss concerns, block changes, stand firm, say no to, resist adaptation

3. To accept different ideas, opinions, or lifestyles, even when they are not your own.
   Living in a diverse city taught her to accommodate many different viewpoints, making her more open-minded over time.
   A good leader knows how to accommodate different personalities, so everyone can work together peacefully.
   He learned to accommodate new ways of thinking, even when change felt uncomfortable at first.

   Synonyms: accept, tolerate, respect differences, make room for views, embrace diversity, allow, recognize others, be open to, welcome perspectives, show flexibility, practice tolerance, be inclusive
   Antonyms: reject differences, refuse ideas, be narrow-minded, exclude viewpoints, discriminate, shut out opinions, be intolerant, dismiss others, be rigid in thinking, judge harshly, close off, be unaccepting

4. To settle a disagreement or make a compromise so everyone can move forward.
   They finally managed to accommodate each other’s needs, finding a solution that felt fair to both sides.
   In long-term relationships, learning how to accommodate is often more important than always being right.
   The two teams accommodated their differences, allowing the project to continue without further conflict.

   Synonyms: compromise, meet halfway, reconcile, find middle ground, negotiate, settle differences, reach agreement, smooth over, harmonize, balance interests, resolve peacefully, adjust mutually
   Antonyms: argue, clash, refuse to compromise, stand firm, escalate conflict, fight over, hold grudges, stay divided, resist agreement, create tension, worsen dispute, remain stubborn

5. (Formal) To make something fit or work within a larger system or plan.
   The new software update was designed to accommodate older devices, so users wouldn’t need to buy new hardware.
   The city expanded its transportation system to accommodate the growing population.
   The policy was changed to accommodate modern working styles, including remote and flexible schedules.

   Synonyms: integrate, fit into, incorporate, align with, make compatible, adapt for, design around, support inclusion of, build in, configure for, enable use of, adjust system for
   Antonyms: exclude from system, make incompatible, ignore requirements, block integration, fail to adapt, resist modernization, reject updates, limit use of, constrain growth, keep outdated, restrict change, prevent inclusion