Access Meaning
/ˈæksɛs/Definition, CEFR level B1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounA way or means of approaching or entering; an entrance; a passage.
nounThe act of approaching or entering; an advance.
Sentence Examples
Let's stay somewhere with easy airport access.
A bridge gives access to the island.
Most people use their phones to access the internet.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
To enter the building, you need a key card to ____ the secure area.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The narrow door provides the only ____ to the secret garden.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English accesse, acces, borrowed from Middle French acces (“attack, onslaught”) or from its source Latin accessus, perfect passive participle of accēdō (“approach; accede”), from ad (“to, toward, at”) + cēdō (“move, yield”). Doublet of accessus. First attested in the early 14th century. The sense "entrance" was first attested about 1380.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"All access was thronged."
— 1667, John Milton, “(please specify the page number)”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: […], London: Basil Montagu Pickering […], 1873, →OCLC:
"I did repel his fetters, and denied His access to me."
— c. 1599–1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Hamlet, Prince of Denmarke”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene i]:
"Coalition plans to widen access to university will fail to get to the 'root cause' of the problem, according to the Russell Group."
— 2011 September 20, Graeme Paton, “University access plan 'will fail', says Russell Group”, in Telegraph:
"During coverture, access of the husband shall be presumed, unless the contrary be shown."
— 1765–1769, William Blackstone, Commentaries on the Laws of England, (please specify |book=I to IV), Oxford, Oxfordshire: […] Clarendon Press, →OCLC:
"I, from the influence of thy looks, receive access in every virtue."
— 1667, John Milton, “(please specify the page number)”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: […], London: Basil Montagu Pickering […], 1873, →OCLC:
Explore More B1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
To enter the building, you need a key card to ____ the secure area.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The narrow door provides the only ____ to the secret garden.