# accessorial

CEFR C1 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/accessorial
Updated: 2026-06-04

## Definition

describing something that is not the main part of a crime but helps someone else commit it. It is a legal word for being a helper or supporter.

For teachers: relating to the role of a person who assists or encourages another in the commission of a crime. Often used in legal contexts to distinguish between the principal offender and those who provide support.

## Examples

- The court decided the defendant was accessorial to the robbery.
- In many jurisdictions, being accessorial to a crime can result in a lesser sentence than being the primary perpetrator.
- The prosecution argued that while the defendant did not physically commit the theft, his accessorial role in providing the necessary tools and planning was sufficient for a conviction.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.