accessory

1 of 2

noun

ac·​ces·​so·​ry ik-ˈse-sə-rē How to pronounce accessory (audio)
ak-,
ek-,
-ˈses-rē,
 also  ə-ˈse-
variants or less commonly accessary
plural accessories
1
a
: an object or device that is not essential in itself but adds to the beauty, convenience, or effectiveness of something else
auto accessories
clothing accessories
b
: a thing of secondary or lesser importance : adjunct
2
law
a
: a person not actually or constructively present but contributing as an assistant or instigator to the commission of an offense

called also accessory before the fact

b
: a person who knowing that a crime has been committed aids or shelters the offender with intent to defeat justice

called also accessory after the fact

accessory

2 of 2

adjective

1
: assisting under the orders of another
especially : contributing to a crime but not as the chief agent
2
: aiding or contributing in a secondary way : supplementary
accessory materials
3
: present in a minor amount and not essential as a constituent
an accessory mineral in a rock

Examples of accessory in a Sentence

Noun fashion accessories such as scarves, handkerchiefs, bracelets, and rings He is wanted as an accessory to murder. Adjective most phone services offer accessory features such as call-waiting
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Leather accessories, meanwhile, are inspired by the proportions of the Jordan Wings logo and made of fine calfskin. Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 12 Mar. 2024 Federer is also in the accessories game in another way: the tennis star last year inked a deal to co-design a line of eyewear with Oliver Peoples. Degen Pener, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Mar. 2024 Bath bombs, makeup brushes, and hair accessories are all popular choices for teens. Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 11 Mar. 2024 Sleep Device Deals For more sleep accessories, see our Best Sound Machines and Best Sleep Gadgets guides. Medea Giordano, WIRED, 11 Mar. 2024 Moment currently is taking up to 50 percent off various cameras, accessories, bags, and other goods as part of its Annual Spring Sale. Sheena Vasani, The Verge, 9 Mar. 2024 The four-inch-long blade was probably owned by an elite warrior who used it as an accessory rather than a weapon. Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Mar. 2024 Designer radiators use similar colors, but often have different slat patterns and additional accessories that set them apart. Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Mar. 2024 But where Keoghan really proved himself as a style stand-out was his accessories. Andrea Lavinthal, Peoplemag, 7 Mar. 2024
Adjective
House Bill 2720, sponsored by Buckeye Republican Rep. Michael Carbone, would allow residents of counties with more than 75,000 people to build one or more accessory dwelling units on their properties. The Arizona Republic, 6 Mar. 2024 Carbon fiber poles like these usually cost upwards of $100, yet this carbon pole and accessory pack is only $39.99 for one and $69.99 for the pair—giving this set another award for Best Value Trekking Pole. Lindsey Lapointe, Field & Stream, 4 Jan. 2024 Usually, these are based on CAD files that need to float around for accessory makers. Ron Amadeo, Ars Technica, 21 June 2023 One way Colorado can pave the way for more affordable housing is to encourage building more accessory dwelling units, according to the governor. Washington Examiner, 13 Jan. 2024 Wide Headbands Workout headbands made a splash in 2023, and experts agree the accessory trend will evolve in 2024. Catherine Santino, Peoplemag, 26 Dec. 2023 Under city code, the zone allows single- through four-family homes, accessory dwellings, cluster homes that share a courtyard, general business, home occupations, sidewalk cafes and short-term rentals. Stacy Ryburn, Arkansas Online, 10 July 2023 Discount department stores remained the most popular destination for shoppers, followed by Dollar/variety stores, apparel, footwear, and accessory retailers. Shelley E. Kohan, Forbes, 30 Nov. 2023 Le Renzo includes the on-site extras of any desirable building in Miami or New York, such as a gym and a wine room; the accessory apartments on lower floors are available only as an additional purchase to use, say, as a nanny annex or a stand-alone home office. Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 6 Aug. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'accessory.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English accessorie, axcessary "person contributing to the commission of an offense," borrowed from Anglo-French accessorie, accessoire, borrowed from Medieval Latin accessōrius "person contributing to the commission of an offense, supplementary material," from Latin access- (stem in derivation of accēdere "to approach") + -ōrius -ory entry 1 — more at accede

Adjective

Middle English accessorie, borrowed from Anglo-French, borrowed from Medieval Latin accessōrius — more at accessory entry 1, -ory entry 2

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Adjective

1563, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of accessory was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near accessory

Cite this Entry

“Accessory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/accessory. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

accessory

1 of 2 noun
ac·​ces·​so·​ry ik-ˈses-(ə-)rē How to pronounce accessory (audio)
ak-
plural accessories
1
: something (as an object or device) that is not necessary in itself but adds to the beauty, convenience, or effectiveness of something else
2
: a person who aids another in doing wrong or in an attempt to escape justice

accessory

2 of 2 adjective
: aiding or helping in a secondary way : supplementary

Medical Definition

accessory

1 of 2 adjective
ac·​ces·​so·​ry ik-ˈses-(ə-)rē, ak- How to pronounce accessory (audio)
1
: aiding, contributing, or associated in a secondary way: as
a
: being or functioning as a vitamin
accessory food substances
b
: associated in position or function with something (as an organ or lesion) usually of more importance
the testis and accessory male ducts and glandsB. T. Scheer
2
: supernumerary
accessory spleens

accessory

2 of 2 noun
plural accessories

Legal Definition

accessory

noun
ac·​ces·​so·​ry
variants also accessary
plural accessories
1
: a person who is not actually or constructively present but with criminal intent contributes as an assistant or instigator to the commission of a felony

called also accessory before the fact

compare principal in the second degree at principal

Note: The traditional distinction between accessories before the fact and principals, that accessories were not present and principals were present at the commission of the crime, is not recognized under most modern state statutes. Accessories before the fact are usually considered principals.

2
: a person who knowing that a felony has been committed aids, assists, or shelters the offender with the intent to defeat justice

called also accessory after the fact

Note: Many state statutes now omit the term accessory after the fact and instead characterize the accessory as having committed a particular offense, such as obstructing justice.

3
: the crime of being an accessory
usually used with to and specifying the crime
convicted of murder and accessory to murderH. B. Zobel
compare substantive crime
accessoryship noun
Etymology

Noun

Medieval Latin accessorius subordinate matter, accomplice to a crime, from Latin accedere to go to, agree, assent

More from Merriam-Webster on accessory

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