gewöhnen

Gewöhnen is a German verb meaning to accustom or habituate. It can be used transitively with a direct object or with the reflexive pronoun sich and the preposition an: sich an etwas gewöhnen; jemanden an etwas gewöhnen. The process denotes gradual adaptation to new circumstances, routines, environments or stimuli, often resulting in ease or readiness.

In everyday language, Gewöhnen describes forming new habits or getting used to changes, for example: "Sie gewöhnt sich an das neue Büro" or "Die Kinder gewöhnen sich allmählich an den neuen Schulweg." In psychology the term is closely related to habituation, the diminished response to a repeated stimulus; Gewöhnung as a noun denotes this process or its result—becoming habituated or accustomed. Gewohnheit (habit) and Eingewöhnung (settling-in) are closely related terms. In specialized contexts such as pharmacology and medicine, Gewöhnung can refer to adjustment to a drug or therapy, though terms like Toleranzentwicklung oder Anpassung may be used.

Etymology: Gewöhnen is formed with ge- plus wöhnen, from an older Germanic root meaning to accustom. The related noun Gewohnheit (habit) shares the same origin.