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

Symptoms include coughing up blood or mucus, weight loss, chest pain, chills and fever, according to the Mayo Clinic. —Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 14 Apr. 2026

The stopout population keeps growing overall, even as annual stopouts have declined and reenrollment has increased, according to data from the National Student Clearinghouse. —ABC News, 14 Apr. 2026

Human remains were found near a Baltimore City charter school Monday evening, according to police. —Adam Thompson, CBS News, 14 Apr. 2026

In June 2025, a Sacramento Regional Transit ambassador stabbed 16-year-old Michael Berry at the Mather Field/Mills Transit Center on Mills Station Road in Rancho Cordova, according to authorities. —Sacbee.com, 7 Apr. 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