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 Patrick was booked into the Travis County Jail on Tuesday evening, according to online records. Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 30 Sep. 2023 Process in an ice-cream maker according to manufacturer's instructions. Southern Living Test Kitchen, Southern Living, 29 Sep. 2023 The number of African American viewers tuning in from the Atlanta area is helping to drive viewership numbers two-to-three times larger than a typical high profile college football game when Colorado is playing, according to data from the Biden campaign. Brittany Shepherd, ABC News, 29 Sep. 2023 Su Zhu was stopped while trying to leave the Southeast Asian country's airport late Friday afternoon, according to people familiar with the matter. WSJ, 29 Sep. 2023 Lee made landfall on Long Island in Digby County, Nova Scotia at around 4 p.m. Saturday with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center. Mirna Alsharif, NBC News, 17 Sep. 2023 The 2-year-old boy remains in critical condition, and the 8-month-old girl is stable, according to the statement. Julia Moore, Peoplemag, 17 Sep. 2023 Tracy Cole, 31, was stabbed multiple times near the intersection of Centennial Olympic Park NE and Ivan Allen Jr. Boulevard NW around 2 a.m. Thursday, according to FOX 5 Atlanta. Brie Stimson, Fox News, 17 Sep. 2023 An on-duty Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy was shot in a patrol vehicle Saturday night, according to a department official. Keri Blakinger, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'according to.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near according to

Cite this Entry

“According to.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/according%20to. Accessed 4 Oct. 2023.

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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