First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1account
noun ac·count \ə-ˈkau̇nt\
: a record of money that has been paid and money that has been received
accounts : records of income and expenses
: an arrangement in which a bank keeps a record of the money that a person puts in and takes out of the bank
Full Definition of ACCOUNT
1
archaic : reckoning, computation
2
a : a record of debit and credit entries to cover transactions involving a particular item or a particular person or concern b : a statement of transactions during a fiscal period and the resulting balance
3
a : a statement explaining one's conduct b : a statement or exposition of reasons, causes, or motives <no satisfactory account of these phenomena> c : a reason for an action : basis <on that account I must refuse>
4
a (1) : a formal business arrangement providing for regular dealings or services (as banking, advertising, or store credit) and involving the establishment and maintenance of an account; also : client, customer (2) : money deposited in a bank account and subject to withdrawal by the depositor b : an arrangement in which a person uses the Internet or e-mail services of a particular company
5
a : value, importance <it's of no account to me> b : esteem <stood high in their account>
6
: advantage <turned her wit to good account>
7
a : careful thought : consideration <have to take many things into account> b : a usually mental record : track <keep account of all you do>
8
: a description of facts, conditions, or events : report, narrative <the newspaper account of the fire> <by all accounts they're well-off>; also : performance <a straightforward account of the sonata>
— on account
: with the price charged to one's account
— on account of
: for the sake of : by reason of
— on no account
: under no circumstances
— on one's own account
1
: on one's own behalf
2
: at one's own risk
3
: by oneself : on one's own
See account defined for English-language learners
See account defined for kids
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Origin of ACCOUNT
Middle English acounte, accompte, from Anglo-French acunte, from acunter
Related to ACCOUNT
- Synonyms
- chronicle, chronology, commentary (usually commentaries), history, narration, narrative, record, report, story
- Antonyms
- uselessness, worthlessness
Other Business Terms
Rhymes with ACCOUNT
2account
verb
: to think of (someone or something) in a specified way
Full Definition of ACCOUNT
transitive verb
1
: to think of as : consider <accounts himself lucky>
2
: to probe into : analyze
intransitive verb
1
: to furnish a justifying analysis or explanation —used with for <couldn't account for the loss>
2
a : to be the sole or primary factor —used with for <the pitcher accounted for all three putouts> b : to bring about the capture, death, or destruction of something —used with for <accounted for two rabbits>
See account defined for English-language learners
Origin of ACCOUNT
Middle English, from Anglo-French acunter, from a- (from Latin ad-) + cunter to count
First Known Use: 14th century
ON NO ACCOUNT Defined for Kids
1account
noun ac·count \ə-ˈkau̇nt\
Definition of ACCOUNT for Kids
1
: a record of money received and money paid out
2
: an arrangement with a bank to hold money and keep records of transactions
3
: an arrangement for regular dealings with a business
4
: an arrangement in which a person uses the Internet or e-mail services of a particular company
5
: a statement of explanation or of reasons or causes <You'll be asked to give an account of your actions.>
6
: a statement of facts or events : report <Give me an account of the game.>
7
: 2worth 1, importance <It's of no account to them what I think.>
— on account of
: because of <We cancelled on account of the rain.>
— on someone's account
: because of someone <Don't stay on my account.>
2account
verb
ac·count·edac·count·ing
Definition of ACCOUNT for Kids
: to think of as <He accounted himself lucky.>
— account for
1
: to take into consideration <She didn't account for extra costs.>
2
: to give an explanation <How do you account for your success?>
3
: to be the cause of <The flu accounts for many absences.>
4
: to make up or form <Women account for half the employees.>
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