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  

/ 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

---

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

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

From Slate ● Jul. 8, 2026

States such as California and New York have loosened regulations around building accessory dwelling units in recent years.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 5, 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

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

From Barron's ● Jun. 24, 2026

“I don’t want to be an accessory, Emile.”

From "The Chocolate War" by Robert Cormier

This story is part of Image’s August Adornment issue, which dives into loud, expressive and distinctive accessories.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 14, 2026

In other situations, I hoped that my studded accessories would communicate to predators that I do not identify as prey.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 12, 2026

Emmar said the company now has half a dozen 3-D printers on site that print everything from small accessories handbags to sneakers.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 6, 2026

In its ruling, the ASA said the woman was wearing "fashionable clothing and accessories standing in front of a scooter next to a body of water, which the ASA considered evoked an aspirational holiday lifestyle".

From BBC ● Aug. 4, 2026

I follow Mom around the department store, lugging my two bags of books as she leads me to the accessories section.

From "How to Disappear Completely" by Ali Standish

Related Words

• adornment
• appliance
• component
• decoration