accountant

1 of 2

noun

ac·​coun·​tant ə-ˈkau̇n-tᵊnt 

1

: one that gives an account or is accountable

2

: one who is skilled in the practice of accounting or who is in charge of public or private accounts

accountantship

ə-ˈkau̇n-tᵊn(t)-ˌship 

noun

accountant

2 of 2

adjective

obsolete

: accountable, answerable

I stand accountant for as great a sin

—William Shakespeare

Examples of accountant in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

An 80-year-old Haverhill accountant pleaded guilty in Essex Superior Court Friday to charges of maintaining a house of prostitution, and possession with intent to distribute charges for suboxone, gabapentin, and marijuana, as well as a fentanyl possession charge. —Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 25 Jan. 2026

The new provisions, meant to fatten Americans' wallets, can also cause confusion, accountants said. —Medora Lee, USA Today, 24 Jan. 2026

Greenlee hid the scheme from her employer by concealing bank statements, despite several requests for them from the winery’s accountant, and changing the email address associated with the bank account, according to the district attorney’s office. —Jason Green, Mercury News, 23 Jan. 2026

Not one of those assistants, accountants, or hair people knows how to grill some chicken? —Brian Moylan, Vulture, 23 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English accomptaunt, accountant "official in charge of accounts," borrowed from Anglo-French acomptant, noun derivative of accountaunt, present participle of acunter, acompter "to account entry 2"

Adjective

Middle English accomptaunt, borrowed from Anglo-French accountaunt, from present participle of acunter, acompter "to account entry 2"

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing accountant

• certified public accountant
• chartered accountant
• cost accountant
• turf accountant

Kids Definition

accountant

noun

ac·​coun·​tant

ə-ˈkau̇nt-ᵊnt

: a person professionally trained in accounting