What is account? Pronunciation and usage in English

account means . Learn how to pronounce and use account through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of account

accountnoun

/əˈkaʊnt/
Definition & pronunciation of account

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "account" in English. There are actually two common pronunciations, and which one is used depends on where you are!

1. American English Pronunciation (Most Common):

  • Pronunciation: /ˈaʊtˌkʌnt/ (approximately "out-kunt")
  • Breakdown:
    • "out": As in the word "out" – a short, open "uh" sound.
    • "kunt": This is the tricky part. It’s pronounced like "kunt" as in the Dutch word "punt". It's a short, unstressed vowel sound, almost like you're saying "hunt" but much shorter and softer. The "t" is pronounced distinctly.

2. British English Pronunciation (Less Common, but still used):

  • Pronunciation: /əˈkaʊnt/ (approximately "uh-kownt")
  • Breakdown:
    • "uh": As in "uh-oh" – a short, unstressed vowel.
    • "kownt": Similar to the American pronunciation, but with a slightly more emphasized "ow" sound.

Here’s a quick way to listen and compare:

Tips for Getting It Right:

  • Don't overemphasize the "k" sound: In both pronunciations, the "k" is softened and almost blended into the vowel sound.
  • Focus on the short, unstressed "uh" sound: This is the key to getting the American pronunciation right.
  • Listen and imitate: The best way to learn is to listen to native speakers and try to mimic their pronunciation.

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • Where are you located (roughly)? (e.g., United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia)

Usage and examples with the word account in English

Let's break down how to use the word "account" in English. It's a remarkably versatile word with many different meanings! Here's a categorized breakdown with examples:

1. Financial Accounts (Most Common)

  • Definition: A record of money transactions – like a bank account, credit card account, or investment account.
  • Examples:
    • "I need to check my bank account balance."
    • "He opened a savings account at the local credit union."
    • "The company has a large corporate account with Chase."
    • "Don't forget to pay your credit card account on time."
    • "Investing in stocks is a good way to grow your investment account."

2. An Explanation or Justification

  • Definition: A reason or explanation for something; a justification.
  • Examples:
    • "He gave an account of what happened during the accident." (a detailed description)
    • "The witness provided a clear account of the events."
    • "The detective investigated the crime, seeking a full account from the suspect."
    • “She gave a compelling account of her journey through the Amazon.”

3. An Online Record/Profile (Digital Accounts)

  • Definition: A record you create on a website or app.
  • Examples:
    • "You need to log in to your account to access the website."
    • "I created a new email account with Gmail."
    • "They're working on a new social media account for the brand."
    • “He changed the security account settings on his phone.”

4. An Official Record (More Formal)

  • Definition: A formal record or register of something.
  • Examples:
    • "The school keeps an account of all student attendance."
    • "The government maintains an account of the nation's population."
    • “There’s a detailed account of the project’s milestones in the report.”

5. A Role or Position (Less Common)

  • Definition: A particular position or role in a company or organization.
  • Examples:
    • "She holds the accounting account at the firm." (This is a slightly archaic usage, but still occasionally heard.) More common is "accounting position."
    • “He took on the account of managing the overseas operations.” (meaning he was responsible for the account)

6. To Calculate / To Take an Account of

  • Definition: To calculate or consider something.
  • Examples:
    • "I’ll account for all the expenses." (meaning to calculate and include them)
    • "Let’s account for the time it takes to travel."

7. In Phrases (Common Combinations)

  • Account for: To explain or justify something. (e.g., "I can't account for his disappearance.")
  • Account to: To be responsible to someone. (e.g., "Employees are accountable to their manager.")
  • Accountable for: Being responsible for something. (e.g., “She’s accountable for the success of the project.")
  • Bank account: A record of money held in a bank.
  • User account: An online profile used to access a service.

How to Choose the Right Meaning:

  • Context is key! Pay attention to the words around "account" to understand what it means in that specific situation.
  • Consider the subject matter. Is the conversation about money? An event? A digital service?

Resources for Further Learning:

Would you like me to:

  • Give you more examples of a specific usage?
  • Explain any of these categories in more detail?
  • Help you with a sentence you're trying to construct using "account"?

Synonyms for the word account

Idioms of the word account

a blow-by-blow account, description, etc. (of something)
(informal)a description of an event that gives you all the details in the order in which they happen
  • He insisted on giving us a blow-by-blow account of what had happened.
  • She gave us a blow-by-blow account of the incident.
by/from all accounts
according to what other people say
  • I've never been there, but it's a lovely place, by all accounts.
by your own account
according to what you say yourself
  • By his own account he had an unhappy childhood.
call somebody to account (for/over something)
to make somebody explain a mistake, etc. because they are responsible for it
    give a good account of yourself
    (British English)to do something or perform well, especially in a contest
    • The team gave a good account of themselves in the match.
    of no/little account
    (formal)not important
    • Emotional matters were of no account to them during the war.
    on account
    if you buy something or pay on account, you pay nothing or only a small amount immediately and the rest later
    • Call a cab on account.
    • Ring for a cab on account.
    • She bought the furniture she wanted on account.
    on somebody’s account
    because of what you think somebody wants
    • Please don't change your plans on my account.
    on account of somebody/something
    because of somebody/something
    • She retired early on account of ill health.
    • The marsh is an area of great scientific interest on account of its wild flowers.
    on no account | not on any account
    not for any reason
    • On no account should the house be left unlocked.
    on your own account
    for yourself
    • In 2012 Smith set up in business on his own account.
    because you want to and you have decided, not somebody else
    • No one sent me. I am here on my own account.
    on this/that account
    (formal)because of the particular thing that has been mentioned
    • Weather conditions were poor, but he did not delay his departure on that account.
    put/turn something to good account
    (formal)to use something in a good or helpful way
    • He turned his artistic talents to good account by becoming a sculptor.
    settle a score/accounts (with somebody) | settle an old score
    to hurt or punish somebody who has harmed or cheated you in the past
    • ‘Who would do such a thing?’ ‘Maybe someone with an old score to settle.’
    • An embittered Charlotte is determined to settle accounts with Elizabeth.
    take account of something | take something into account
    to consider particular facts, circumstances, etc. when making a decision about something
    • The company takes account of environmental issues wherever possible.
    • Coursework is taken into account as well as exam results.

    Practice with vocabulary account

    Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

    1. Please provide your email address to create a new __________.
    2. The company will __________ for all expenses incurred during the project.
    3. She decided to open a savings __________ at the local bank.
    4. The manager asked for a detailed __________ of the meeting outcomes.

    Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

    1. Which word refers to a record of financial transactions?
      a) account
      b) report
      c) statement

    2. The team leader needs to __________ for the delays in the project.
      a) explain
      b) account
      c) justify

    3. What is the correct word for a user profile on a website?
      a) account
      b) log
      c) email

    4. Which word is a synonym for "consider" in this sentence: "We must __________ all factors before making a decision"?
      a) account
      b) ignore
      c) analyze

    5. The __________ of the event was sent to all participants.
      a) summary
      b) account
      c) explanation

    Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

    1. Original: The report detailed the company’s financial status.
      Rewrite: The __________ provided a detailed view of the company’s finances.

    2. Original: He explained the reasons for the project’s failure.
      Rewrite: He gave a full __________ of the project’s failure.

    3. Original: She updated her profile on the platform.
      Rewrite: She made changes to her __________ on the platform.

    Answer

    Exercise 1:

    1. account
    2. account
    3. account
    4. summary

    Exercise 2:

    1. a) account
    2. b) account
    3. a) account
    4. c) analyze
    5. a) summary

    Exercise 3:

    1. The account provided a detailed view of the company’s finances.
    2. He gave a full account of the project’s failure.
    3. She made changes to her profile on the platform.

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