accost

American  

[uh-kawst, uh-kost] / əˈkɔst, əˈkɒst /

verb (used with object)

1. to confront boldly.

   The beggar accosted me for money.

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

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

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noun

1. a greeting.

accost British  

/ əˈkɒst /

verb

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

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noun

1. rare a greeting

Other Word Forms

• accostable adjective
• unaccostable adjective

Etymology

Origin of accost

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

Example Sentences

A rare moment of high drama flares when a pregnant woman, Agata, played with firecracker fierceness by Anna Chlumsky, barrels down the basement stairs to accost Renia.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 6, 2025

“No American should accost another for their beliefs,” he tweeted.

From Salon • Oct. 19, 2023

"No American should accost another for their beliefs," he wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Wednesday evening.

From BBC • Oct. 18, 2023

You wait for guests to leave the secure perimeter, and politely accost them for all the details.

From Washington Post • Nov. 20, 2022

His black eyes accost me as if I am the devil made flesh He wears a severe black satin doublet and hose.

From "Ophelia" by Lisa Klein

Related Words

• annoy
• buttonhole
• confront