accommodate

Everyday

1. To provide a place for someone to stay or live. tree →
2. To have enough space for a number of people or things (the hall accommodates 200 people). tree →
3. To help someone by giving what they need or changing plans for them. tree →
4. (formal) To get used to or adjust to something. tree →

In the lessons

In maths, capacity problems (each bus accommodates 40 pupils — how many buses for 130?). In travel and everyday life, hotels accommodate guests. In school, teachers accommodate different needs. Phrases: «accommodate guests», «can accommodate up to», «accommodate someone's needs».

Examples

• The hotel can accommodate 100 guests. tree →
• Each minibus accommodates 12 children. tree →
• The hall accommodates up to 300 people. tree →
• We can accommodate you for the night. tree →
• The teacher accommodated his request for extra time. tree →
• The new library can accommodate thousands of books. tree →
• "It's always one's duty to accommodate a traveller, they won't interfere with us." tree →

Note

Spelling trap: double «c» AND double «m» — ac-com-mo-date. Noun «accommodation» (UK uncountable; US often «accommodations»). In maths: if each bus accommodates 40 and there are 130 pupils, 130 ÷ 40 = 3 remainder 10, so you need 4 buses (round UP).