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

One SpaceX buyer has been eyeing a $32-million pocket listing of his in tony Brentwood for months while waiting for the IPO, according to real estate broker Cory Weiss of Douglas Elliman. — Roger Vincent, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2026

The pregnant woman went into labor after being pulled from the rubble of the building in the city, which was the worst impacted by the devastating back-to-back earthquakes in the region, according to South American news outlet HCH Televisión Digital. — Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 29 June 2026

The fire has grown to about 100 acres near the Sawgrass Expressway and Commercial Boulevard, according to authorities. — South Florida Sun Sentinel, Sun Sentinel, 29 June 2026

Hypoxia can lead to mass fish kills and harm vital ecosystems, according to scientists. — Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 29 June 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