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 extra home playoff games will boost the team’s coffers, even as its accountants grapple with a new federal tax law that will cost the Knicks’ parent company more than $50 million per year. —Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 10 Apr. 2026

Herbst, an accountant and former city auditor, said City Hall should be paid for with property tax dollars through a general obligation bond. —Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 9 Apr. 2026

What do two mortgage companies, two insurance companies, and a certified public accountant have in common? —Jessica Bryant, USA Today, 9 Apr. 2026

Two days before his death, Epstein made Indyke a co-executor of his estate, along with Kahn, the accountant. —Ava Berger, NPR, 8 Apr. 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