What does "account for" mean?

To explain by relating circumstances; to show that some one, thing or members of a group are present or have been processed.

What is a synonym for "account for"?

Common synonyms include: account, accredit, accredit with, accrete to, acknowledge, allegorize.

Pronounced //əˈkaʊnt foɹ//.

/əˈkaʊnt foɹ/ verb

verb ·Moderate ·College level

Verb

1
To explain by relating circumstances; to show that some one, thing or members of a group are present or have been processed. transitive
"I don't have to account for anything to you."
2
give reasons for wordnet
3
To be the primary cause of transitive
"The torrential downpour would account for the saturated state of the land."
4
be the reason or explanation for wordnet
5
To constitute in amount or portion. transitive
"German speakers accounted for 37% of the population."

Show 4 more definitions

6
To make or render a reckoning of funds, persons, or things. transitive
"When you deduct the direct and indirect costs, the picture looks a little different. Only mail and coal traffic generated a net revenue when accounting for all costs, not just direct operating costs."
7
To be answerable for. transitive
8
To destroy or put out of action. transitive
"Coyotes account for more rabbits than hunters do."
9
To kill, as in hunting. dated, transitive
"He accounted for two deer today."

"I don't have to account for anything to you."