Accessory — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun adjective /ik-ˈse-sə-rē/ ac·ces·so·ry

Meaning & Definition of Accessory

Accessory (noun)

  1. an object or device that is not essential in itself but adds to the beauty, convenience, or effectiveness of something else
  2. a thing of secondary or lesser importance, adjunct
  3. a person not actually or constructively present but contributing as an assistant or instigator to the commission of an offense —called also accessory before the fact

Accessory (adjective)

  1. assisting under the orders of another; especially, contributing to a crime but not as the chief agent
  2. aiding or contributing in a secondary way, supplementary
  3. present in a minor amount and not essential as a constituent

Accessory (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. something that is not necessary in itself but adds to the convenience or performance of the main piece of equipment

    "bought a new car with lots of high-tech accessories"

    similar: accoutrement, adapter, add-on, adjunct, appendage, appliance, attachment, option
    related: accompaniment, additive, complement, supplement, auxiliary, subsidiary, amenity, doodad, embroidery, extra, filler, frill, incidental, luxury, nonessential, nonnecessity, appurtenances, bells and whistles, equipment, furnishings, habiliment(s), paraphernalia, trappings, adornment, decoration, embellishment, enhancement, garnish, ornament, trim, trimming
    near: essential, necessity, requirement, requisite

  2. one associated with another in wrongdoing

    "two accessories, the driver of the getaway car and the dishonest bank teller, were charged in the robbery case"

    similar: abettor, accomplice, cohort, confederate
    related: collaborationist, collaborator, informant, informer, evidence, state's evidence, companion, comrade, crony, henchman, partner, conspirator, plotter, traitor, gangster, mobster, racketeer

Accessory (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. available to supply something extra when needed

    "most phone services offer accessory features such as call-waiting"

    similar: accessorial, appurtenant, auxiliary, peripheral, supplemental, supplementary
    related: backup, makeshift, substitute, added, additional, another, further, complementary, contributory, adjuvant, assistant, assisting, helping, supportive, tributary, secondary, subordinate, subservient, subsidiary, dispensable, excess, nonessential, superfluous, surplus, unessential
    opposite: chief, main, principal
    near: basic, fundamental, primary, prime, all-important, essential, imperative, indispensable, integral, necessary, needed, needful, required, requisite, vital

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Accessory

The most common words with a similar meaning to Accessory:

accoutrement, adapter, add-on, adjunct, appendage, appliance, attachment, option, abettor, accomplice, cohort, confederate, accessorial, appurtenant, auxiliary, peripheral, supplemental, supplementary

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Accessory

Words with the opposite meaning of Accessory:

chief, main, principal

Related Words for Accessory

accompaniment, additive, complement, supplement, subsidiary, amenity, doodad, embroidery, extra, filler, frill, incidental, luxury, nonessential, nonnecessity, appurtenances, bells and whistles, equipment, furnishings, habiliment(s), paraphernalia, trappings, adornment, decoration, embellishment, enhancement, garnish, ornament, trim, trimming

Near Antonyms of Accessory

essential, necessity, requirement, requisite, basic, fundamental, primary, prime, all-important, imperative, indispensable, integral, necessary, needed, needful, required, vital

Word Forms of Accessory

Inflections: accessories

Origin & Etymology of Accessory

Middle English accessorie, axcessary "person contributing to the commission of an offense," borrowed from Anglo-French accessorie, accessoire, borrowed from Medieval Latin accessōrius "person contributing to the commission of an offense, supplementary material," from Latin access- (stem in derivation of accēdere "to approach") + -ōrius -ory:1 accede

First known use: 15th century

Words & Phrases Containing Accessory

accessory fruit, accessory nerve

Frequently Asked Questions about Accessory

What does "Accessory" mean?

"Accessory" means an object or device that is not essential in itself but adds to the beauty, convenience, or effectiveness of something else. As an a noun and an adjective, it is defined as: an object or device that is not essential in itself but adds to the beauty, convenience, or effectiveness of something else. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Accessory"?

Other words for "Accessory" include accoutrement, adapter, add-on, adjunct, appendage, appliance, attachment and option. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Accessory" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Accessory"?

There are 88 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Accessory". Common alternatives include accoutrement, adapter, add-on, adjunct, appendage, appliance, attachment, option, abettor and accomplice.

What is the opposite of "Accessory"?

Antonyms of "Accessory" include chief, main and principal. Near antonyms include essential, necessity, requirement and requisite.

How do you use "Accessory" in a sentence?

Examples of "Accessory" in a sentence: "bought a new car with lots of high-tech accessories"; "two accessories, the driver of the getaway car and the dishonest bank teller, were charged in the robbery case"; "most phone services offer accessory features such as call-waiting".

Is "Accessory" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Accessory" can be used as a noun and an adjective, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Accessory"?

"Accessory" is pronounced /ik-ˈse-sə-rē/ and divided into syllables as ac·ces·so·ry.

What is the origin of the word "Accessory"?

"Accessory" comes from Middle English accessorie, axcessary "person contributing to the commission of an offense," borrowed from Anglo-French accessorie, accessoire, borrowed from Medieval Latin accessōrius "person contributing to the commission of an offense, supplementary material," from Latin access- (stem in derivation of accēdere "to approach") + -ōrius -ory:1 accede. First known use: 15th century.