accessory

American  

[ak-ses-uh-ree] / ækˈsɛs ə ri /

noun

accessories plural

1. a subordinate or supplementary part, object, or the like, used mainly for convenience, attractiveness, safety, etc., as a spotlight on an automobile or a lens cover on a camera.

2. an article or set of articles of dress, as gloves, earrings, or a scarf, that adds completeness, convenience, attractiveness, etc., to one's basic outfit.

3. Law.

   1. Also called accessory before the fact.  a person who, though not present during the commission of a felony, is guilty of having aided and abetted another, who committed the felony.

   2. Also called accessory after the fact.  a person who knowingly conceals or assists another who has committed a felony.

   Synonyms:

   accomplice

4. Anatomy. accessory nerve.

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adjective

1. contributing to a general effect; supplementary; subsidiary.

2. Law. giving aid as an accessory.

accessory British  

/ ˌæksɛˈsɔːrɪəl, əkˈsɛsərɪ /

noun

1. a supplementary part or object, as of a car, appliance, etc

2. (often plural) a small accompanying item of dress, esp of women's dress

3. a person who incites someone to commit a crime or assists the perpetrator of a crime, either before or during its commission

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adjective

1. supplementary; additional; subordinate

2. assisting in or having knowledge of an act, esp a crime

Related Words

See addition.

Other Word Forms

• accessorial
  adjective
• accessorily
  adverb
• accessoriness
  noun
• interaccessory
  adjective
• nonaccessory
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of accessory

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English accessorie (from Middle French ), from Medieval Latin accessōrius. See accede, -tory ¹

Explanation

Whether we're talking about a fog light for your boat or just a nice hat to go with your boating outfit, an accessory is something you add to something else to make it better. An accessory can be any piece of clothing that you wear or carry as long as it isn't part of the main outfit. You can also use the word to refer to someone who helps someone else commit a crime. So the guy who distracted the old lady while another guy grabbed her purse? He was the accessory to the theft of an accessory.

Example Sentences

There is also a separate 1,000-square-foot accessory dwelling unit in the backyard, which features two bedrooms, a private kitchen, two bathrooms, and its own laundry room, making it the ideal space for longer-term guests.

From MarketWatch • May 26, 2026

But Mr. Hauser is a complete mystery, less talent than mass and whose ever-present sunglasses seem less an accessory than a crutch: If you can’t see his eyes, it’s tough to judge his performance.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 14, 2026

It would seem cleaner for your daughter to sell this home and buy in Ohio, and for you to either pay for a home nearby and/or an accessory dwelling unit.

From MarketWatch • May 5, 2026

Pratt would expand on the mayor’s ED1 program by mandating a 60-day approval process for accessory dwelling units — smaller back houses on single-family lots.

From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2026

We chose one of those plastic face masks of Wonder Woman and a golden lasso rope accessory for the guy with the serious case of the hots for Joey.

From "Winger" by Andrew Smith

Related Words

• adornment
• appliance
• component
• decoration