How to pronounce accost
Say it like uh-KAWST. Accost has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (KAWST).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce accost. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- uh
- KAWST
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Accost pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- KAWSTSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
American vs British pronunciation of accost
American and British speakers say accost in essentially the same way: /əˈkɔst/ in the US and /əˈkɒst/ in the UK.
British respelling: uh-KOST.
What does accost mean?
- To approach and speak to boldly or aggressively, as with a demand or request.“A beggar accosted me as soon as I stepped outside.”
- To speak to first; to address; to greet.
- To assault.
- Address; greeting.
- An attack.
Where does accost come from?
From Middle French accoster, acoster, from Old French acoster (“to stand beside”) (whence Medieval Latin accostare), from Old French a- + coste (“side, flank”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with accost
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of accost.
Questions about saying accost
How do you pronounce accost?
Say uh-KAWST. The American pronunciation is /əˈkɔst/. In British English it is /əˈkɒst/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in accost?
Accost has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (KAWST). Broken into parts: uh · KAWST.
Do Americans and Brits say accost the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /əˈkɔst/ and the British form is /əˈkɒst/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.