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

Upon speaking to an accountant, the owner said he was informed that the embezzlement accusations were driving his business toward bankruptcy, according to the warrant affidavit. — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 11 Nov. 2026

There are Delta Force commandos who look like your local accountant or the science teacher at your nearby high school. — David Hookstead Outkick, FOXNews.com, 11 Nov. 2026

Those include testimony from former President Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Epstein’s former lawyer and accountant, and two of his former assistants. — Claire Healy, Miami Herald, 10 Nov. 2026

The traditional orphans’ court framework allows empathetic, civic-minded citizens from all walks of life — including medical professionals, educators, accountants and business leaders — to stand for election. — Eric Wargotz, Baltimore Sun, 3 Nov. 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