accessory
Americannoun
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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.
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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.
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Law.
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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.
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Also called accessory after the fact. a person who knowingly conceals or assists another who has committed a felony.
- Synonyms:
- accomplice
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Anatomy. accessory nerve.
adjective
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contributing to a general effect; supplementary; subsidiary.
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Law. giving aid as an accessory.
noun
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a supplementary part or object, as of a car, appliance, etc
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(often plural) a small accompanying item of dress, esp of women's dress
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a person who incites someone to commit a crime or assists the perpetrator of a crime, either before or during its commission
adjective
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supplementary; additional; subordinate
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assisting in or having knowledge of an act, esp a crime
Related Words
See addition.
Other Word Forms
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.
Vocabulary lists containing accessory
Because of Mr. Terupt
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"An Awful Human Trade," Vocabulary from the news article
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Catching Fire
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
But manufacturers also needed to move with the times by adopting AI and offering customers "comprehensive solutions", said Patrick Chen, chairman of the Taiwan Machine Tools and Accessory Builders' Association.
From Barron's • Jan. 21, 2026
This includes legislation that could make it easier for homeowners to get a coastal development permit for Accessory Dwelling Units.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 7, 2025
Q: I want to add an Accessory Dwelling Unit to my backyard.
From Seattle Times • Jun. 2, 2023
Accessory dwelling units — also known as in-law suites, granny flats, casitas or guest cottages — come in many forms.
From New York Times • Jan. 29, 2023
When Walker was elected president he found that the Accessory Transit Company had not lived up to the terms of its concession with the Nicaraguan Government.
From Real Soldiers of Fortune by Davis, Richard Harding
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
