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accostto approach and address someone boldly or aggressively, especially a stranger in public

Part of speech: VERB

Definition: to approach and address someone boldly or aggressively, especially a stranger in public

Pronunciation (IPA): /əˈkɔːst/

Example Sentences

  • The overly friendly salesman accosted every customer who entered the store.
  • I was accosted by a mime who wouldn't stop pretending to be trapped in a box.
  • The reporter accosted the celebrity outside the restaurant for an impromptu interview.

accost

VERB

[/əˈkɔːst/]

to approach and address someone boldly or aggressively, especially a stranger in public

A stranger suddenly accosts him on the street, demanding directions in his face.
💡 Concept

A stranger suddenly accosts him on the street, demanding directions in his face.

A stranger suddenly stepped in front of the reporter and asked, "A COST?"
🧠 Mnemonic

A stranger suddenly stepped in front of the reporter and asked, "A COST?"

The stranger's questions accosted him, exhausted him, and finally engrossed him in the strange conversation.
🎵 Rhyme

The stranger's questions accosted him, exhausted him, and finally engrossed him in the strange conversation.

Got the picture? Now let's practice.

🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/əˈkɔːst/
🇬🇧 UK/əˈkɒst/

🌳Etymology

Prefixac--
Rootcost

Origin

From French accoster, derived from Old French a- (to) + coste (side, rib), ultimately from Latin costa meaning side or rib. The word originally meant to come alongside someone.

Breakdown

a- (to) + costa (side/rib) = accost (to approach and address someone)

🎵Rhyme

costlostfrosttossed
cost
lost
frost
tossed

🔗Collocations

accost someone on the street
be accosted by a stranger
accost aggressively
accost boldly
accost unexpectedly

📝Examples

The overly friendly salesman accosted every customer who entered the store.

😄 Fun example

I was accosted by a mime who wouldn't stop pretending to be trapped in a box.

The reporter accosted the celebrity outside the restaurant for an impromptu interview.

😄 Fun example

My grandmother accosted the mailman with homemade cookies and life advice.

📚Related Words

Synonyms

approachconfrontaddresswaylaybuttonhole

Antonyms

avoidignoreevade

Related

encounterinterceptsolicitharassimportune

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