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

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

Cycling's world governing body the UCI's rule also says it prohibits clothing "not strictly necessary for the functionality of the clothing, or other item, or accessory".

From BBC ● Aug. 5, 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

In 2026, Idaho legalized starters-homes on small lots and Virginia allowed accessory dwelling units by right.

From Barron's ● Jun. 24, 2026

States and cities are rethinking zoning laws, allowing accessory dwelling units and overriding local rules near public transit.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 17, 2026

Like a scarf you wear as an accessory until it starts feeling itchy around your neck.

From "Auggie & Me" by R. J. Palacio

In the years after the swap meet, my special interest became finding Prada accessories that prominently featured hardware, which was easier than the uninitiated might imagine.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 12, 2026

And if costumes help you pretend you’re someone else, your own clothes and accessories help you to become yourself.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 11, 2026

“I have visions of older gentlemen going out at night and doing it in balaclavas and golf jumpers,” said Susan Oliver, who runs SO & Co., a fashion accessories and gift store in town.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 6, 2026

The company also argued it was "less prominent than other elements of the image, such as the model's clothing and accessories".

From BBC ● Aug. 4, 2026

One bright spot in our neighborhood was a little store run by a Jamaican family, selling clothing, hair accessories, and other items.

From "How Dare the Sun Rise" by Sandra Uwiringiyimana

Related Words

• adornment
• appliance
• component
• decoration