B1noun1K

Account

UK /["/əˈkaʊnt/"]/US /["/əˈkaʊnt/"]/

Definition

an arrangement that somebody has with a bank, etc. to keep money there, take some out, etc.

In simple words: A record of money or information.

Examples

I need to check my bank account to see how much money I have.
The accountant prepared the annual financial account for review.
You must open an account before you can start online banking.
Her account of the event was very detailed and informative.
In his account, he mentioned several key incidents that led to the success.
She created a social media account to connect with friends.
Based on our account, they should arrive by noon.
For an accurate account of historical events, it's important to consult multiple sources.

Usage notes

Use 'account' in business or financial contexts. It’s appropriate when talking about finances, banking, or storytelling. Avoid using in casual conversations unless relevant.

Grammar pattern

account + for + noun

Memory hint

Think of an 'account' as a tall stack of bills you need to keep track of.

Collocations

bank
building-society
checking
have
hold
close
number
holder
balance
account at
account with
expense
charge
credit
have
create
open
on account
account at
account with
brief
short
blow-by-blow
give (somebody)
offer
provide (somebody with)
in an/the account
by all accounts
by somebody’s own account
brief
short
blow-by-blow
give (somebody)
offer
provide (somebody with)
in an/the account
by all accounts
by somebody’s own account
profit and loss account
accounts payable
accounts receivable
do
keep
audit
be in order
account book
account balance
expense
charge
credit
have
create
open
on account
account at
account with

Synonyms

report
statement
record
narrative
description

Antonyms

debt
deficit

Common mistakes

Confused with 'account for' which means to explain.
Using 'account' as a verb without 'for'.
Saying 'the account of' instead of 'the account for'.