If someone says that something is true according to a particular person, book, or other source of information, they are indicating wherethey got their information.
Philip stayed at the hotel, according to Mr Hemming.
He and his father, according to local gossip, haven't been in touch for years.
Synonyms: as claimed by, in the opinion of, on the authority of, as stated by More Synonyms of according to
See full dictionary entry for according to
according to
phrase
If something is done according to a particular set of principles, these principles are used as a basis for the wayit is done.
They both played the game according to the rules.
They must take their own decision according to their own legal advice.
Synonyms: in keeping with, in line with, consistent with, in accordance with More Synonyms of according to
See full dictionary entry for according to
according to
phrase
If something varies according to a changing factor, it varies in a way that is determined by this factor.
Prices vary according to the quantity ordered.
The route that the boatmen choose varies according to the water level.
Synonyms: in relation to, depending on, in proportion to, proportional to More Synonyms of according to
See full dictionary entry for according to
according to in British English
(əˈkɔːdɪŋ tə)
preposition
1.
if someone says that something is true according to a particular person, book, or other source of information, they are indicating where they got their information
According to Mr Hemming, Philip stayed at the hotel.
According to him, everyone had gone.
the gospel according to Luke
The road was forty kilometres long according to my map.
the gospel according to St Matthew
2.
if something is done according to a particular set of principles, these principles are used as a basis for the way it is done
They must take their own decision according to their own legal advice.
She played the game according to the rules.
3.
if something varies according to a changing factor, it varies in a way that is determined by this factor
The route that the boatmen choose varies according to the water level.
Prices vary according to the quantity ordered.
classified according to size
4. according to plan
according to in American English
1.
in agreement with
2.
in the order of
arranged according to size
3.
as stated in or reported by
See full dictionary entry for according
Examples of 'according to' in a sentence
according to
The reason the Kariens were attacking varied, according to which rumours one believed.
Jennifer Fallon TREASON KEEP (2001)
Moira Xaviera Pollock was thirty-two years old, a Pisces with Cancer rising and a Sagittarius moon, according to Jett.
Val McDermid DEAD BEAT (2001)
Only according to Mrs Thorn, that's what goes on at Crowford Comprehensive.
Amanda Hemingway THE GREENSTONE GRAIL: THE SANGREAL TRILOGY ONE (2001)
I even made copies, and marked them up in blue pencil, according to your notes.
Patrick Robinson BARRACUDA 945 (2001)
In other languages
according to
British English: according to /əˈkɔːdɪŋ tə/ PREPOSITION
as reported by You say according to somebody to show that you are only repeating what you have read or heard, and that it may not be true.
They drove away in a white van, according to the news.
American English: according to
Arabic: وَفْقا ًلـ
Brazilian Portuguese: de acordo com
Chinese: 按照
Croatian: prema
Czech: podle
Danish: ifølge
Dutch: volgens
European Spanish: según
Finnish: jonkin mukaan
French: selon
German: laut
Greek: σύμφωνα με
Italian: secondo
Japanese: ･･･に従って
Korean: ...에 따라
Norwegian: i henhold til
Polish: zgodnie z
European Portuguese: de acordo com
Romanian: potrivit
Russian: в соответствии с
Latin American Spanish: según
Swedish: enligt
Thai: ตามที่
Turkish: göre
Ukrainian: відповідно до
Vietnamese: theo như
British English: according to /əˈkɔːdɪŋ tə/ PREPOSITION
following If somebody does something according to a set of rules, they follow those rules.
They played the game according to the rules.
American English: according to
Arabic: وَفْقاً ل...
Brazilian Portuguese: segundo
Chinese: 根据
Croatian: premda
Czech: podle
Danish: ifølge
Dutch: volgens
European Spanish: según
Finnish: jnkn mukaan
French: conformément à
German: gemäß
Greek: σύμφωνα με
Italian: secondo
Japanese: ･･･に沿って
Korean: ~에 따라
Norwegian: etter
Polish: według
European Portuguese: de acordo com
Romanian: conform
Russian: в соответствии с
Latin American Spanish: según
Swedish: enligt
Thai: ตาม
Turkish: göre
Ukrainian: згідно з
Vietnamese: theo như
All related terms of 'according to'
according to Hoyle
according to the rules and regulations ; in the prescribed , fair , or correct way
according to plan
If something happens according to plan , it happens in exactly the way that it was intended to happen.
according to Cocker
reliable or reliably; correct or correctly
according to one's lights
as one's opinions , information, or standards may direct
cut your coat according to your cloth
to make plans and decisions that are based on what you have and not what you would like
1 (phrase)
According to local gossip they haven't been in touch for years.