1 C1 formal
To have a duty to explain your actions or decisions to a particular person or body.
"The minister accounts to parliament for the actions of his department."
inseparable
account to
C1 formal inseparable transitive
To be responsible or answerable to a person or authority for your actions.
In plain English
To have to explain what you did to someone who is in charge of you.
What does "account to" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Usage tip
More formal than 'answer to'. Common in political, legal, and corporate contexts. Often used in passive constructions or in discussions about governance and responsibility.
Words that pair with "account to"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
parliament board voters shareholders public committee
How to conjugate "account to"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
account to
I/you/we/they
3rd person
accounts to
he/she/it
Past simple
accounted to
yesterday
Past participle
accounted to
have + pp
-ing form
accounting to
continuous
Hear "account to" in the wild
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Other ways to say "account to"
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