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

The homeowner ran outside and fired a gun into the ground, according to Philadelphia police. —Laura Fay, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026

He was booked into the jail in July and remained in the jail with a bond set at $50,000, according to court records. —Lori Dunn, Arkansas Online, 8 Jan. 2026

The benefit applied to both mothers and fathers, according to Little’s release. —Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 8 Jan. 2026

Minneapolis City Council members and the woman’s mother, Donna Ganger, confirmed the woman was Renee Nicole Good, 37, who reportedly lived in the Twin Cities area, according to reporting from The Minnesota Star Tribune. —Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 8 Jan. 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