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

The previous disruptions to shipping between 2023 and 2025 probably cost some $20 billion a year, according to industry estimates. — Jomana Karadsheh, CNN Money, 21 July 2026

Police detained Schmidt twice during the altercation, originally placing him into the police vehicle after the officer shot his black Labrador, according to eyewitness Paul Bates. — Gabe White, Arkansas Online, 21 July 2026

So far, the efforts have not gone far enough to satisfy the player group, according to people briefed on the talks who spoke on condition of anonymity in order to speak freely about a sensitive matter. — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 21 July 2026

More than 300 people were killed during the unrest, according to international human rights groups. — Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 21 July 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