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

Iranian authorities have arrested tens of thousands of people since last month, according to activists and human rights groups. —Arkansas Online, 17 Feb. 2026

Home to 710 stores and vendors, mostly Somali retailers serving Somali patrons, the mall was plastered with anti-ICE posters due to daily raids, according to Sabri. —Yahya Salem, CNN Money, 17 Feb. 2026

The man was arrested and was being held in county jail in lieu of $100,000 bail on suspicion of robbery and resisting an officer, according to online jail records. —Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Feb. 2026

California will bear the brunt of the storminess, according to forecasters. —Doyle Rice, USA Today, 17 Feb. 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