accessory

1 of 2

noun

ac·​ces·​so·​ry ik-ˈse-sə-rē 

ak-,

ek-,

-ˈses-rē,

 also  ə-ˈse-

variants or less commonly accessary

plural accessories

1

a

: an object or device that is not essential in itself but adds to the beauty, convenience, or effectiveness of something else

auto accessories

clothing accessories

b

: a thing of secondary or lesser importance : adjunct

2

law

a

: a person not actually or constructively present but contributing as an assistant or instigator to the commission of an offense

called also accessory before the fact

b

: a person who knowing that a crime has been committed aids or shelters the offender with intent to defeat justice

called also accessory after the fact

accessory

2 of 2

adjective

1

: assisting under the orders of another

especially : contributing to a crime but not as the chief agent

2

: aiding or contributing in a secondary way : supplementary

accessory materials

3

: present in a minor amount and not essential as a constituent

an accessory mineral in a rock

Synonyms

Noun

• option
• adaptor
• attachment
• equipment
• adapter
• add-on
• appendage
• appliance
• decoration
• accoutrement
• accouterment

Adjective

• auxiliary
• additional
• peripheral
• supplementary

Examples of accessory in a Sentence

Noun

fashion accessories such as scarves, handkerchiefs, bracelets, and rings

He is wanted as an accessory to murder.

Adjective

most phone services offer accessory features such as call-waiting

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

When Howard was 12 years old, her mother opened a store in Michigan selling new women’s high-end clothing and accessories alongside early American furniture. —Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 24 Oct. 2025

From clever packing solutions and cozy in-flight accessories, to tiny upgrades that make a huge difference midair, all of these travel hacks are pilot-approved for keeping your journey calm, clean, and surprisingly comfortable from takeoff to touchdown. —Alesandra Dubin, Travel + Leisure, 24 Oct. 2025

Adjective

States governed by both Democrats and Republicans — including Florida, Montana and Washington — have enacted reforms like eliminating minimum lot sizes, permitting accessory dwelling units and limiting on-site parking spaces. —Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 28 Oct. 2025

The draft of the law states that no accessory dwelling units, junior or otherwise, could be rented out. —Nollyanne Delacruz, Mercury News, 22 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English accessorie, axcessary "person contributing to the commission of an offense," borrowed from Anglo-French accessorie, accessoire, borrowed from Medieval Latin accessōrius "person contributing to the commission of an offense, supplementary material," from Latin access- (stem in derivation of accēdere "to approach") + -ōrius -ory entry 1 — more at accede

Adjective

Middle English accessorie, borrowed from Anglo-French, borrowed from Medieval Latin accessōrius — more at accessory entry 1, -ory entry 2

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Adjective

1563, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing accessory

• accessory fruit
• accessory nerve

Rhymes for accessory

• possessory
• intercessory
• pessary

Kids Definition

accessory

1 of 2 noun

ac·​ces·​so·​ry ik-ˈses-(ə-)rē 

ak-

plural accessories

1

: something (as an object or device) that is not necessary in itself but adds to the beauty, convenience, or effectiveness of something else

2

: a person who aids another in doing wrong or in an attempt to escape justice

accessory

2 of 2 adjective

: aiding or helping in a secondary way : supplementary

Medical Definition

accessory

1 of 2 adjective

ac·​ces·​so·​ry ik-ˈses-(ə-)rē, ak- 

1

: aiding, contributing, or associated in a secondary way: as

a

: being or functioning as a vitamin

accessory food substances

b

: associated in position or function with something (as an organ or lesion) usually of more importance

the testis and accessory male ducts and glands

—B. T. Scheer

2

: supernumerary

accessory spleens

accessory

2 of 2 noun

plural accessories

: accessory nerve

Legal Definition

accessory

noun

ac·​ces·​so·​ry

variants also accessary

ik-ˈse-sə-rē, ak- 

plural accessories

1

: a person who is not actually or constructively present but with criminal intent contributes as an assistant or instigator to the commission of a felony

called also accessory before the fact

compare principal in the second degree at principal

Note: The traditional distinction between accessories before the fact and principals, that accessories were not present and principals were present at the commission of the crime, is not recognized under most modern state statutes. Accessories before the fact are usually considered principals.

2

: a person who knowing that a felony has been committed aids, assists, or shelters the offender with the intent to defeat justice

called also accessory after the fact

Note: Many state statutes now omit the term accessory after the fact and instead characterize the accessory as having committed a particular offense, such as obstructing justice.

3

: the crime of being an accessory

—usually used with to and specifying the crime

convicted of murder and accessory to murder

—H. B. Zobel

compare substantive crime

accessoryship noun

Etymology

Noun

Medieval Latin accessorius subordinate matter, accomplice to a crime, from Latin accedere to go to, agree, assent