according to

preposition

1

: in conformity with

2

: as stated or attested by

3

: depending on

Examples of according to in a Sentence

According to rumors I've heard, he was fired for stealing from the company.

She always did everything according to the rules.

I cooked the rice according to the directions on the box.

He was paid according to how quickly he worked.

Recent Examples on the Web

The stabbing happened around 5:15 p.m. near the Grant Skate Park in the 1100 block of South Michigan Avenue, according to police. —William Lee, Chicago Tribune, 18 June 2025

Health care is a key industry expected to thrive amid the U.S.’s digital workplace disruption, according to a 2024 report from McKinsey. —Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 17 June 2025

Some 95% of respondents to a World Gold Council (WGC) survey expect central banks’ gold reserves to increase over the next 12 months, according to an organisation report. —Royston Wild, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025

The Louvre, which welcomed 8.7 million visitors in 2024, was only designed to accommodate four million visitors a year, according to Reuters. —Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 17 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English acordyng to, from acordyng "agreeing" (from present participle of accorden "to accord entry 1") + to to entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for according to

• hullabaloo
• accrue
• ado
• ainu
• aircrew
• airscrew
• anew
• askew
• baboo
• babu
• bamboo
• beaucoup

Kids Definition

according to

preposition

1

: in agreement with

did everything according to the rules

2

: as stated by

according to the experts

3

: depending on

dress according to the weather