# accomplice

/əˈkɑmpɫəs/ (US) · /ɐkˈɒmplɪs/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/accomplice
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. partner in a crime

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

someone who helps another person commit a crime or do something illegal.

For teachers: an associate in the commission of a crime, whether acting as a principal or an accessory.

- The police are still looking for the driver who acted as an accomplice in the robbery.
- The prosecution argued that the defendant was not merely a bystander but a willing accomplice who provided the necessary blueprints for the heist.

Usage: Often used with the preposition 'to' (an accomplice to the murder) or 'in' (an accomplice in the crime).

### 2. a cooperator

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic

a person who helps someone with a task, usually one that is slightly bad or secret.

For teachers: a cooperator or associate in a non-criminal but perhaps questionable activity.

- He found a willing accomplice in his brother when it came to playing pranks on their neighbors.
- In his later memoirs, the author refers to his editor as a faithful accomplice in the subversion of traditional literary forms.

Teaching tip: This non-criminal sense is rare in modern English; learners should primarily use the word in legal or criminal contexts.

## Examples

- The police are still looking for the thief's accomplice.
- The driver of the getaway car was charged as an accomplice to the bank robbery.
- While he did not pull the trigger himself, the prosecution argued that his role in planning the heist made him a willing accomplice to the murder.

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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.