Accomodating

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Exhibiting a readiness to assist others while being flexible in adapting to different needs or circumstances
2. Demonstrating a helpful attitude by being willing to adjust to others' requests and situations
3. Showing a spirit of cooperation by adapting easily to others' wants or needs

Etymology: Latin "commodus" meant "fitting," "suitable," or "convenient," and it was built from "com-" and "modus," "measure." Adding "ad-" produced "accommodare," to make one thing fit another. English took the past participle "accommodatus" as "accommodate," keeping that sense of adjusting one thing to suit another. The "-ing" ending comes from Old English "-ende," a present participle ending that became "-ynge" in Middle English and then "-ing." So "accommodating" describes someone who adjusts themselves to fit others' needs. The spelling with one "m" is a common slip. The standard form has double "c" and double "m," which reflects the "ac-com-" of the Latin prefix. The same "commodus" root gives English "commodious" and "commodity."

Synonyms: obliging, helpful, cooperative, agreeable

Antonyms: inflexible, uncooperative, unhelpful