Word
accountant
Phoneticsac·coun·tant, stress on the second syllable
US/əˈkaʊntənt/
UK/ɐkˈaʊntənt/
Definitions
01financial professional
B1 · Intermediate Countable noun
n. a person whose job is to keep or check financial records for a business or person.
n. a professional responsible for maintaining, auditing, and inspecting the financial records of individuals or organisations.
“The company hired a new accountant to help with their yearly taxes.”
“The senior accountant identified several discrepancies in the quarterly reports that suggested a significant error in the payroll system.”
Synonyms
02online sex worker
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Slang · Informal
n. a word sometimes used on social media to mean a sex worker, used to avoid being blocked by the website.
n. a euphemistic term used primarily on social media platforms to refer to sex workers or adult content creators to bypass automated content moderation.
“She told her followers she was an accountant to keep her video from being deleted.”
“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.
Teaching tip
This is a very modern, internet-specific euphemism; learners should be aware of the double meaning in social media contexts.
Synonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “accountant” in context.
Verb
01. consult an accountant
“You should consult an accountant before making any major investment decisions.”
verb + noun
02. hire an accountant
“Small business owners often hire an accountant to manage their annual tax returns.”
verb + noun
Adjective
03. certified accountant
“She is a certified accountant with over ten years of experience in corporate finance.”
adj + noun
04. forensic accountant
“A forensic accountant was called in to investigate the suspicious transactions.”
adj + noun
05. qualified accountant
“The firm is looking for a qualified accountant to lead the auditing department.”
adj + noun
Noun
06. accountant's office
“I need to drop off these receipts at the accountant's office by Friday.”
noun + noun
07. chartered accountant
“He spent three years studying to become a chartered accountant.”
noun + noun
Real-World Examples
“The connection was strongest at companies with more complex accounting operations and in labor markets where qualified accountants are harder to recruit and retain.” “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.” Etymology
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.
Word family
NOUN
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper IntermediateOxford
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/accountant