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

Creative talent exists in more realms than just marketing or editorial — accountants and CEOs should be equally creative. —Rolling Stone Culture Council, Rolling Stone, 21 Mar. 2025

Over the past three years, more than 300,000 accountants and auditors have exited the profession. —Mike Whitmire, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025

It’s told by Stuart Ross, a former Lolla accountant and tour director. —Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2025

The individuals include Browne, his wife, his son, Antigua and Barbuda's general accountant and its port manager. —Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 12 Mar. 2025

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