accountant

1 of 2

noun

ac·​coun·​tant ə-ˈkau̇n-tᵊnt 

1

: one that gives an account or is accountable

2

: one who is skilled in the practice of accounting or who is in charge of public or private accounts

accountantship

ə-ˈkau̇n-tᵊn(t)-ˌship 

noun

accountant

2 of 2

adjective

obsolete

: accountable, answerable

I stand accountant for as great a sin

—William Shakespeare

Examples of accountant in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

At a young age, Allman and Duane were sent to Castle Heights Military Academy after Geraldine, who was struggling to support her sons, enrolled in college to become a certified public accountant (CPA). —Ashley Hume , Larry Fink, FOXNews.com, 16 June 2026

Monfilston, a credit union engagement coordinator, and her husband, an accountant, earn about $120,000 per year. —Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 15 June 2026

But it was soon revealed that the actors were given the wrong envelope by accountants from Pricewaterhouse Coopers, the firm charged with counting Oscar votes, keeping the results secret and organizing and handing out envelopes to presenters. —Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 13 June 2026

Emails appear to show Epstein and his accountant spoke to Brunel and MC2’s then-president, Jeff Fuller, about Pozhidaeva. —Curt Devine, CNN Money, 13 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English accomptaunt, accountant "official in charge of accounts," borrowed from Anglo-French acomptant, noun derivative of accountaunt, present participle of acunter, acompter "to account entry 2"

Adjective

Middle English accomptaunt, borrowed from Anglo-French accountaunt, from present participle of acunter, acompter "to account entry 2"

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing accountant

• certified public accountant
• chartered accountant
• cost accountant
• turf accountant

Kids Definition

accountant

noun

ac·​coun·​tant

ə-ˈkau̇nt-ᵊnt

: a person professionally trained in accounting