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

The list typically includes traditional jobs like electrician or accountant, rather than something more modern, like content creator. —Matthew Simoneau, The Conversation, 22 June 2026

But your everyday accountant is excellent at running your books. —Lien De Pau, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026

At a young age, Allman and Duane were sent to Castle Heights Military Academy after Geraldine, who was struggling to support her sons, enrolled in college to become a certified public accountant (CPA). —Ashley Hume , Larry Fink, FOXNews.com, 16 June 2026

Monfilston, a credit union engagement coordinator, and her husband, an accountant, earn about $120,000 per year. —Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 15 June 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