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

Green tea extracts never reviewed by the FDA were found in 901 products in the database, including granola and energy bars, candy and chewing gum, ice cream, sodas, teas, waters and seafood, according to the EWG report. —Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 3 Mar. 2026

Rubio told reporters that the US strikes on Iran were designed to head off a threat to the US from Israel’s plans to attack Iran, according to The Hill. —Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 3 Mar. 2026

The Freedom Plane drew its inspiration from 1976’s Bicentennial Freedom Train, according to the National Archives. —Washington Examiner Staff, The Washington Examiner, 3 Mar. 2026

Those quotes were used to provide context and avoid downplaying the role of slavery in the Confederate rebellion, according to a former Harpers Ferry media specialist who inserted them. —Karin Brulliard, Arkansas Online, 3 Mar. 2026

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