according to

preposition

1

: in conformity with

2

: as stated or attested by

3

: depending on

Examples of according to in a Sentence

According to rumors I've heard, he was fired for stealing from the company.

She always did everything according to the rules.

I cooked the rice according to the directions on the box.

He was paid according to how quickly he worked.

Recent Examples on the Web

Piñeiro, according to Shanahan, will be week-to-week and is likely to miss some time. —Robert Marvi, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Nov. 2025

Thanksgiving is just around the corner and Michigan is set to see record-breaking holiday travel, according to forecasts. —Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 18 Nov. 2025

Other plants that will receive part of this investment include the Buffalo plant in West Virginia, Blue Springs plant in Mississippi, Jackson plant in Tennessee, and Troy plant in Missouri, according to a press release. —Olivia Evans, Louisville Courier Journal, 18 Nov. 2025

Cook the pasta according to the package directions, stopping 1 minute before al dente. —Endia Fontanez, AZCentral.com, 18 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English acordyng to, from acordyng "agreeing" (from present participle of accorden "to accord entry 1") + to to entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for according to

• hullabaloo
• accrue
• ado
• ainu
• aircrew
• airscrew
• anew
• askew
• baboo
• babu
• bamboo
• beaucoup

Kids Definition

according to

preposition

1

: in agreement with

did everything according to the rules

2

: as stated by

according to the experts

3

: depending on

dress according to the weather