accost

American  

[uh-kawst, uh-kost] / əˈkɔst, əˈkɒst /

verb (used with object)

1. to confront boldly.

   The beggar accosted me for money.

2. to approach, especially with a greeting, question, or remark.

3. (of prostitutes, procurers, etc.) to solicit for sexual purposes.

---

noun

1. a greeting.

accost British  

/ əˈkɒst /

verb

1. (tr) to approach, stop, and speak to (a person), as to ask a question, accuse of a crime, solicit sexually, etc

---

noun

1. rare a greeting

Other Word Forms

• accostable adjective
• unaccostable adjective

Etymology

Origin of accost

First recorded in 1570–80, accost is from the Late Latin word accostāre to be or put side by side. See ac-, coast

Explanation

To accost is to approach someone aggressively or confront them in an inappropriate way. Accost describes a confrontation — one that's often aggressive in nature. You're likely to be accosted by angry picketers if you wear your finest fur coat to a march against animal cruelty. The paparazzi make their living by accosting celebrities, pushing in close to snap candid photos as the stars leave their limos.

Example Sentences

A rare moment of high drama flares when a pregnant woman, Agata, played with firecracker fierceness by Anna Chlumsky, barrels down the basement stairs to accost Renia.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 6, 2025

"No American should accost another for their beliefs," he wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Wednesday evening.

From BBC • Oct. 18, 2023

You wait for guests to leave the secure perimeter, and politely accost them for all the details.

From Washington Post • Nov. 20, 2022

"I never spoke to Rep. Yoho before he decided to accost me on the steps of the nation's Capitol yesterday," she added on Twitter.

From Salon • Jul. 23, 2020

A few furtive shapes darted into alleys at the sound of hoofbeats on the cobbles, but no one dared accost them.

From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin

Related Words

• annoy
• buttonhole
• confront