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.

---

adjective

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

2. Law. giving aid as an accessory.

accessory British  

/ 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

---

adjective

1. supplementary; additional; subordinate

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

Synonym Usage

See addition.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

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

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• accessories
  plural

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

See Examples For:

accessory accessories

Tap-to-pay is getting a TikTok makeover as shoppers turn checking out into a personalized accessory.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 24, 2026

A bright blue first-place ribbon materializes and becomes the perfect accessory.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 27, 2026

Meta has enlisted Kylie Jenner in its campaign to convince us that Meta Glasses are a hot girlboss accessory.

From Slate ● Jul. 8, 2026

"There were things on my side that could have been looked into much sooner, rather than treating me as an accessory to the process."

From BBC ● Jun. 26, 2026

“A fashion accessory? Oh boy. Here we go.”

From "The Serpent King" by Jeff Zentner

Imports rose 2.8 percent to $399.3 billion, bolstered by computers, computer accessories and semiconductors.

From Barron's ● Sep. 3, 2026

Dickson is looking to change that with the addition of Reed Krakoff, who was named executive director of accessories for the parent company last year.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 1, 2026

Following a series of pop-ups, the French brand finds home in a petite new space at Brentwood Country Mart, offering a curated selection of its clothing and accessories.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 1, 2026

Gap, Inc. operates as a global apparel retail company, which offers clothing, apparel, accessories, and personal care products for men, women, and children.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 28, 2026

My opinion of those accessories was not favourable.

From "Great Expectations" by Charles Dickens

Related Words

• adornment
• appliance
• component
• decoration