account
noun (countable)
UK/əˈkaʊnt/US/əˈkaʊnt/
A record or statement of financial transactions; a formal arrangement with a bank, website, or organization to handle funds or data; or a description or narrative of events
Example Sentences
Please send me an account of the meeting so that I understand what happened.
He opened a savings account to better manage his finances.
The journalist wrote a detailed account of the event for the local newspaper.
I asked for a full account of all project-related expenses.
Her account of the incident perfectly matched the security camera footage.
He maintains an online account with the company for file storage.
My bank account balance dropped after I paid several unexpected bills.
A personal diary is, in many ways, an account of one’s daily life and innermost thoughts.
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verb (intransitive)
UK/əˈkaʊnt/US/əˈkaʊnt/
To explain or justify something; to be the reason or explanation for something; to consider or regard in a specified way
Example Sentences
Students must account for every source in their research papers.
The CEO had to account for the sudden drop in quarterly sales figures.
You should account for potential traffic delays when planning the travel schedule.
He failed to account for rising material costs in his final budget.
They struggled to account for the discrepancies in the test results.
The manager asked each team member to account for their tasks during the meeting.
In trying to account for the anomaly, the scientists carefully examined each step of the experiment, ensuring no detail was overlooked.
She had to account for every expense in her monthly report to justify the budget increase.
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How to Use
A record or explanation, often financial, or the act of justifying events.Use this term in both noun and verb forms. As a noun, it refers to financial records, like a bank account, or an explanation or report of events (e.g., a news account). As a verb, it means to justify or explain the reasons behind something (e.g., ‘Please account for your actions’). In professional writing, clarify whether you’re discussing financial transactions or providing a narrative. Be mindful to specify the type of account (bank, user, personal) for clarity. In everyday conversation, “account” can also mean a personal interpretation or telling of a story. When speaking formally, focus on precision—detail the purpose of the account and its relevance to the topic.
Alternatives
Similar words or phrases include ‘report,’ ‘record,’ ‘explanation,’ ‘statement,’ or ‘narration.’ ‘Report’ emphasizes detailing information, while ‘record’ highlights documentation over time. ‘Explanation’ focuses on clarifying reasons, and ‘statement’ often implies a concise declaration. ‘Narration’ leans toward storytelling. Each alternative can be used to fine-tune meaning in both formal and informal contexts.
Writing
When writing, choose whether you need the noun or verb form. For financial documents or data logs, use ‘account’ as a noun to refer to records and balances. For analytical or investigative pieces, use it as a verb to indicate justification (e.g., ‘How do we account for this discrepancy?’). Provide sufficient context, especially in technical or academic writing, so the reader clearly understands whether you mean a financial record, user profile, or explanatory detail. Maintaining clarity ensures your audience grasps the function and significance of an ‘account’ in your text.
Casual Conversation
In everyday conversation, ‘account’ frequently comes up when talking about money (‘I opened a new savings account’) or when explaining actions (‘How do you account for being late?’). Keep it simple by specifying the type of account (e.g., ‘bank account,’ ‘social media account’) if needed. If you’re telling a story, saying ‘my account of the event’ indicates your personal version of what happened. Aim for clarity, and don’t overcomplicate your explanation with too much technical detail.
Etymology
Derived from Middle English ‘acounten’ and Old French ‘aconter’ (meaning ‘to reckon’ or ‘to count’), the term originates from the Latin ‘computare’ (‘to compute’). Historically, it centered on tallying or calculating, evolving to include both financial and explanatory senses. Early usage stressed bookkeeping and settling debts, but it later expanded to encompass narrations and justifications. This dual meaning underscores the term’s importance in managing resources and clarifying situations.
