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

: subject to give account or liable to be called to account : accountable, answerable

I stand accountant for as great a sin …

—William Shakespeare

Examples of accountant in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

For financial institutions, accountants, and policymakers, the key issue is no longer whether money will become more digital. — Sean Stein Smith, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026

The investment initially drew skepticism from Parton’s accountants, only to spur massive development, tens of thousands of jobs and a brand known ‘round the world. — Rachel Siegel, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026

Parents who once spent an hour in a Target aisle are budgeting like accountants. — Ashley Lynch, Charlotte Observer, 26 Aug. 2026

On May 15, the EKL learned that scammers, acting through their chief accountant, defrauded their Swedbank and SEB bank accounts of nearly $800,000 in government subsidies via an elaborate scheme disguised as salary payments. — Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 24 Aug. 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