English Reference
noun

accountant

n.
US /əˈkaʊntənt/ UK /ɐkˈaʊntənt/ ac·coun·tant UK spelling accountant's, accountant's

  1. 01 B1 Intermediate

    a person whose job is to keep or check financial records for a business or person.

    a professional responsible for maintaining, auditing, and inspecting the financial records of individuals or organisations.

    Simple

    The company hired a new accountant to help with their yearly taxes.

    In context

    The senior accountant identified several discrepancies in the quarterly reports that suggested a significant error in the payroll system.

  2. 02 C1 Advanced SlangInformal

    a word sometimes used on social media to mean a sex worker, used to avoid being blocked by the website.

    a euphemistic term used primarily on social media platforms to refer to sex workers or adult content creators to bypass automated content moderation.

    Simple

    She told her followers she was an accountant to keep her video from being deleted.

    In context

    The term has gained traction as a coded label among online creators seeking to maintain their accounts while discussing their profession.

    Usage

    Often used in the phrase 'I'm an accountant' on platforms like TikTok or Instagram.

    Teacher's tip

    This is a very modern, internet-specific euphemism; learners should be aware of the double meaning in social media contexts.

    sex workercontent creator

The connection was strongest at companies with more complex accounting operations and in labor markets where qualified accountants are harder to recruit and retain.

Phys.org· 20 Aug 2026

If there were a version of the “British-Nigerian dream” that didn’t involve becoming a lawyer, accountant or doctor, you could say my family and I got pretty close.

The Guardian· 6 Sept 2026

From Middle English, from Middle French acuntant. Equivalent to account + -ant. First attested in the mid 15th century.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Origin frm acuntant
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated