accost

[ uh-kawst, uh-kost ]
See synonyms for: accostaccostedaccosts on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)
  1. to confront boldly: The beggar accosted me for money.

  2. to approach, especially with a greeting, question, or remark.

  1. (of prostitutes, procurers, etc.) to solicit for sexual purposes.

noun
  1. a greeting.

Origin of accost

1
First recorded in 1570–80, accost is from the Late Latin word accostāre to be or put side by side. See ac-, coast

Other words from accost

  • ac·cost·a·ble, adjective
  • un·ac·cost·a·ble, adjective

Words Nearby accost

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How to use accost in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for accost

accost

/ (əˈkɒst) /


verb
  1. (tr) to approach, stop, and speak to (a person), as to ask a question, accuse of a crime, solicit sexually, etc

noun
  1. rare a greeting

Origin of accost

1
C16: from Late Latin accostāre to place side by side, from Latin costa side, rib

Derived forms of accost

  • accostable, adjective

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