accost

[ uh-kawst, uh-kost ]

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.

noun

1. a greeting.

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

Derived Forms

• acˈcostable, adjective

Other Words From

• ac·costa·ble adjective
• unac·costa·ble adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of accost¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of accost¹

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

Example Sentences

Or, even more embarrassingly, she did and opted to accost Aslan about his religion regardless of the claims in his book.

From The Daily Beast

The dreamer tries to help, and fends off a man who is about to accost her with lecherous intentions.

From The Daily Beast

Yet how painful not to be allowed to call at a single house, or to accost a single person we met.

From Project Gutenberg

Toward noon a single man ventured out into the road to accost the cowboy.

From Project Gutenberg

Doubtless it never entered the Captain's head that any peasant would accost him about such a trifle as the ruin of his daughter.

From Project Gutenberg

He pretends to come out quite by accident, and will express great surprise when I accost him in the way I intend.

From Project Gutenberg

As I moved away, I saw one of the gamblers approach and accost him; then another of them; then the third.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• annoy
• buttonhole
• confront