accessory
/əkˈsesəri/ (bre, ipa) · /əkˈsesəri/ (ame, ipa) · /ik-ˈse-sə-rē ak-, ek-, -ˈses-rē also ə-ˈse-/ (ame, mw)
accessory — noun
1. an extra part, tool, or piece of clothing such as a belt, scarf, or phone case t
an extra part, tool, or piece of clothing such as a belt, scarf, or phone case that you add to something to make it more useful, more attractive, or to match your outfit.
Citlali bought a leather strap and a small wallet as accessories for her new camera.
accessories for + noun (equipment add-on)
The kitchen blender comes with three extra accessories, including a dough hook.
comes with + accessories (equipment)
Linnea chose a yellow scarf and gold earrings as accessories to match her blue dress.
Fashion magazines often say a good handbag is the most important accessory.
Most car accessories, such as floor mats and seat covers, are sold separately.
- add-on
more informal; usually for tech or vehicles, not clothing
- attachment
stresses that the part connects to a larger machine
- extra
very general; often optional features sold separately
- essential
an essential item is needed, not optional like an accessory
文法句型
accessory for/to + noun
用法筆記
Almost always countable and very often plural. When the accessory is for a machine or device, it is usually 'an accessory for X'; when it is for clothing or appearance, it is usually 'an accessory to X'.
常見錯誤
2. someone who supports a criminal during an illegal act, for example by driving th
someone who supports a criminal during an illegal act, for example by driving the getaway car or watching the street for police, but is not the main offender.
The court found Beatriz guilty of being an accessory to the bank robbery.
accessory to + crime (law)
Lisa drove the getaway car, so the police charged her as an accessory.
charged as an accessory
The lawyer argued that the young man was only an accessory, not the main thief.
Two brothers were arrested as accessories to the murder of a local farmer.
- accomplice
broader; covers anyone who helps, before or during the crime
- abettor
more legal and old-fashioned; someone who encourages the crime
- principal
the main person who actually commits the crime
文法句型
accessory to + noun (crime)
用法筆記
Almost always followed by 'to + crime' (accessory to murder, accessory to robbery). A legal term used in court documents and news reports rather than everyday speech. Distinguish from sense 3, which covers helping AFTER the crime, and sense 4, which covers helping BEFORE.
常見錯誤
3. someone who, after learning that an offence has already taken place, helps the o
someone who, after learning that an offence has already taken place, helps the offender escape arrest by hiding them, lying to officers, or destroying evidence; in legal language, an 'accessory after the fact'.
Aunt Rosa was charged as an accessory after the fact for hiding her nephew in the basement.
accessory after the fact (legal phrase)
The judge sentenced Daniel to two years for acting as an accessory after the robbery.
accessory after + crime
By burning the bloody shirt, Mei became an accessory to the murder.
Police warned that anyone who hides the suspect could be treated as an accessory.
- harborer
specifically someone who hides a criminal in their home
- accomplice
broader and less precise than the legal 'accessory after the fact'
文法句型
accessory after the fact
用法筆記
Often appears in the fixed legal phrase 'accessory after the fact'. Distinguish from sense 2: this sense is only about help given AFTER the crime is finished (hiding the criminal, destroying evidence, lying to police). The crime in sense 2 is happening; here it is already over.
常見錯誤
4. a person who plans or prepares a crime with someone else, or encourages them to
a person who plans or prepares a crime with someone else, or encourages them to do it, but is not present when the crime happens; in legal language, an 'accessory before the fact'.
The lawyer admitted his client had been an accessory before the fact, sketching maps of the bank.
accessory before the fact (legal phrase)
Mr. Chen was charged as an accessory because he gave the burglars the alarm code.
preparation makes someone an accessory
Although she was at home that night, the jury called her an accessory before the fact.
Anyone who buys the gun for a planned attack can be tried as an accessory.
- instigator
stresses encouraging or pushing someone to commit the crime
- conspirator
implies a secret plan with two or more people
文法句型
accessory before the fact
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 2 and sense 3 by timing: this sense covers help in the planning stage, BEFORE the crime takes place. Often appears in the fixed phrase 'accessory before the fact'. Subject is usually someone absent from the scene of the crime.
常見錯誤
accessory — adjective
1. describing a person who helps someone else carry out a crime, usually by followi
describing a person who helps someone else carry out a crime, usually by following that person's instructions rather than leading the action.
The judge said the driver was clearly accessory to the kidnapping of the child.
accessory to + crime
Two accessory members of the gang received shorter prison sentences than the leader.
accessory + noun (attributive)
Officer Kim explained that even a quiet lookout can be accessory to a burglary.
Mrs. Patel argued in court that she was never accessory to her husband's smuggling.
- innocent
having no part in the crime
文法句型
accessory to + crime
用法筆記
Used as a legal label, almost always followed by 'to + crime'. Subject is usually a person, not an action. Less common than the noun use; in everyday speech 'accomplice' is preferred.
常見錯誤
2. added to something more important to give extra help or support, without being n
added to something more important to give extra help or support, without being necessary on its own; for example, an accessory pump that helps the main engine cool down.
The factory installed an accessory pump to support the main cooling system.
accessory + machine part
Doctors gave the patient accessory oxygen during the long surgery.
accessory oxygen (medical)
The boat had two accessory sails for use when the main one tore.
Engineers added an accessory motor so the lift could keep running during a power cut.
- supplementary
very close in meaning; common in formal writing
- auxiliary
often used for backup machines, military units, or staff
- additional
more everyday; just means 'extra'
文法句型
accessory + noun
用法筆記
Almost always used before a noun (attributive), not after a linking verb. Common in technical writing about machines, medicine, or engineering. The accessory item supports a main one, similar to 'auxiliary' or 'supplementary' but slightly more everyday.