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Synonyms

accompanist

American  
[uh-kuhm-puh-nist, uh-kuhmp-nist] / əˈkʌm pə nɪst, əˈkʌmp nɪst /
Also accompanyist

noun

  1. Music. a person who plays an accompaniment.


accompanist British  
/ əˈkʌmpəniːɪst, əˈkʌmpnɪst, əˈkʌmpənɪst /

noun

  1. a person who plays a musical accompaniment for another performer, esp a pianist accompanying a singer

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of accompanist

First recorded in 1825–35; accompan(y) + -ist

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Steven Blier was 13 when he discovered his calling as an accompanist.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 21, 2025

Not to be forgotten: associate music director and pianist Riley Brule, who transcends the role of accompanist with a few choice interjections and a sight gag involving a pair of moose antlers.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 5, 2023

When it’s multiple scenes and a dance, ‘Sing an original song’ — that requires a lot of effort, to sit down with music, hire an accompanist, learn choreography — anything under 24 hours feels disrespectful.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 25, 2023

He had little success at first as a songwriter, but he became a popular arranger and accompanist, touring with Vic Damone, the Ames Brothers and Polly Stewart, who became his first wife.

From Washington Times • Feb. 9, 2023

He continued as her accompanist during both her American and European tours, while Marian and Billy continued as friends.

From "The Voice That Challenged a Nation: Marian Anderson and the Struggle for Equal Rights" by Russell Freedman