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

In fact, 1 in 4 adults with dental insurance reported costs as a barrier to care, according to a 2023 survey by KFF, a health information nonprofit that includes KFF Health News. —Blake Farmer, Miami Herald, 24 Mar. 2026

Four Fort Worth restaurants were temporarily closed, and roaches were found at others during the latest round of city health inspections, according to the inspection reports. —Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Mar. 2026

In that month, rates fell below 6% for the first time since 2022, according to Freddie Mac, which tracks rates weekly. —Zach Halaschak, The Washington Examiner, 24 Mar. 2026

At least 66 people were killed and several others injured when a military transport aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff on Monday in Colombia’s Puerto Leguízamo, according to an AP report. —Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 24 Mar. 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