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
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Potentially severe thunderstorms are expected to start off the week in the Baltimore area and Maryland’s Interstate 95 corridor, according to a hazardous weather outlook issued by the National Weather Service. Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 29 June 2025 Ukraine is completely out of ammunition for its two vital missile defense SAMP/T batteries, the Franco-Italian version of the U.S. Patriot missile defense system, according to sources speaking with Le Monde late last month. Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 29 June 2025 More than 150 different precolonial Native American tribes acknowledged third genders in their communities, according to the LGBTQ+ advocacy group Human Rights Campaign. Katherine Weaver, Chicago Tribune, 29 June 2025 The zoo’s initial budget came from a bond measure approved by voters in 1956 to construct a facility to replace the Griffith Park Zoo, which had opened in 1912 and was running out of space, according to the L.A City Controller. Jasmine Mendez, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for according to

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of according to was in the 14th century

Cite this Entry

“According to.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/according%20to. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on according to

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