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

Palm Sunday is on Sunday, March 29, 2026, according to Time and Date. —Chris Sims, IndyStar, 10 Feb. 2026

One of the key responsibilities Warren taught his pupils was how to show restraint, according to Knox. —Everett Eaton, jsonline.com, 10 Feb. 2026

Woodson earned degrees from Berea College (Kentucky) and the University of Chicago before earning a doctorate from Harvard in 1912, according to the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, an organization Woodson founded in 1915. —Alex Perry, Cincinnati Enquirer, 10 Feb. 2026

Drinking two to three cups of coffee daily could reduce the risk of dementia, according to new observational research published in The Journal of the American Medical Association. —Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 10 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