account

word

/əˈkaʊnt/
uh-KOWNT
/ɐkˈaʊnt/
uh-KOWNT

Definition

An account can be a record or service for money, email, or online use, or a written or spoken description of something that happened. It can also mean an explanation of why something happened.

Usage & Nuances

Very common and multi-meaning. 'Bank account', 'email account', and 'social media account' are the most frequent modern uses. For the meaning 'description', common patterns are 'an account of the accident' and 'eyewitness account'. In formal English, 'on account of' means 'because of', but it is less common in everyday speech.

Example Sentences

I opened a new bank account yesterday.

basic

She forgot the password for her email account.

basic

His account of the meeting was clear and simple.

basic

I can't log in because my account got locked.

natural

That doesn't match the account we heard earlier.

natural

On account of the rain, we stayed home.

natural