access
AK-sehs
Access (noun) means the right or ability to enter, use, or obtain something. Example: “Employees need a keycard to gain access to the building.”
noun
1
The right or ability to enter, use, or obtain something.
"Employees need a keycard to gain access to the building."
"The new library gives students access to thousands of e-books."
verb
1
To obtain or gain entry to something, especially information or a place.
"You can access your account online at any time."
How to use access
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe ability to get into, use, or reach something, or the act of doing so.
Common pairings
gain access
access to information
restricted access
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like access.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- accesses
- Third person singular
- accesses
- Past tense
- accessed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Employees need a keycard to gain _____ to the building.
Etymology
From Latin accessus, "an approach," from accedere ("to approach"), built from ad- ("to") plus cedere ("to go, move").
Synonyms
View more →
entry
entrance
admission
admittance
approach
use
availability
entree
get at
accession
access code
memory access
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “access” mean?
The word “access” means the right or ability to enter, use, or obtain something. In plain terms, the ability to get into, use, or reach something, or the act of doing so.
How do you pronounce “access”?
“Access” is pronounced AK-sehs (/ˈækˌsɛs/ in IPA).
How do you use “access” in a sentence?
Here is “access” used in a sentence: “Employees need a keycard to gain access to the building.”
What part of speech is “access”?
Depending on how it is used, “access” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “access” come from?
The word “access” comes from Latin. From Latin accessus, "an approach," from accedere ("to approach"), built from ad- ("to") plus cedere ("to go, move").
Is “access” a common word?
“Access” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “access” have?
“Access” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the right or ability to enter, use, or obtain something.
What is the difference between access and entry?
Entry is the physical act of going into a place. Access is broader — the right or ability to enter, use, or obtain something, which may not be physical at all. You can have access to a building, but also to information, funds, or healthcare. Access is about permission and possibility; entry is about going in.
What are the types of access?
Access can be physical (entering a building or room), digital (logging into an account, network, or file), and legal or social (the right to services, education, or records). In computing, "access" often describes permission levels such as read, write, or admin. In every case it combines the ability and the right to reach something.
Can access be restricted?
Yes. Access is often controlled or limited — by locks, passwords, permissions, memberships, or laws. Restricting access keeps out people who lack the right or need to enter or use something, which is central to security and privacy. Granting access does the opposite, letting someone in or giving them use of a resource.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include access:
