ENGLISH
REFERENCE

access

n. uncountable
B1 Intermediate Oxford US //ˈækˌsɛs// UK //ˈæksɛs// ac·cess Academic Archaic General-service

n. the ability or right to enter a place, use something, or see information. You often use it when talking about the internet or private buildings.

n. the means, right, or opportunity to approach, enter, or make use of something. Often used in technical contexts regarding data retrieval or in legal contexts regarding visitation rights.


SIMPLE

You need a password to gain access to the files.

CONTEXTUAL

The new ramp provides wheelchair access to the main entrance of the library.

COMPLEX

While the Freedom of Information Act grants public access to certain government records, many documents remain classified to protect national security interests.

Synonyms
Etymology 1

From Middle English accesse, acces, borrowed from Middle French acces (“attack, onslaught”) or from its source Latin accessus, perfect passive participle of accēdō (“approach; accede”), from ad (“to, toward, at”) + cēdō (“move, yield”). Doublet of accessus. First attested in the early 14th century. The sense "entrance" was first attested about 1380.

Etymology 2

First attested in 1962.

Usage

Frequently paired with the preposition 'to'. Often follows verbs like 'gain', 'provide', or 'deny'.

Pitfall

The access for the building is closed.The access to the building is closed.The noun 'access' is almost always followed by the preposition 'to', not 'for' or 'of'.

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