accompany
Americanverb (used with object)
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to go along or in company with; join in action.
to accompany a friend on a walk.
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to be or exist in association or company with.
Thunder accompanies lightning.
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to put in company with; cause to be or go along; associate (usually followed bywith ).
He accompanied his speech with gestures.
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Music. to play or sing an accompaniment to or for.
verb (used without object)
verb
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(tr) to go along with, so as to be in company with or escort
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to supplement
the food is accompanied with a very hot mango pickle
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(tr) to occur, coexist, or be associated with
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to provide a musical accompaniment for (a performer)
Related Words
Accompany, attend, convoy, escort mean to go along with someone (or something). To accompany is to go along as an associate on equal terms: to accompany a friend on a shopping trip. Attend implies going along with, usually to render service or perform duties: to attend one's employer on a business trip. To convoy is to accompany (especially ships) with an armed guard for protection: to convoy a fleet of merchant vessels. To escort is to accompany in order to protect, guard, honor, or show courtesy: to escort a visiting dignitary.
Other Word Forms
- accompanier noun
- nonaccompanying adjective
- reaccompany verb (used with object)
Etymology
Origin of accompany
First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English accompanye, from Middle French accompagnier; ac-, company
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.
ICE agents who bring in detainees for medical care, however, are allowed to accompany them as they receive care and to remain in public areas, like the lobby.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 20, 2026
Sydnexis invited Robert Clark, a renowned pediatric ophthalmologist, to accompany its executives to a meeting with FDA staff last month to address the agency’s criticism.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 13, 2026
"Various solutions will of course be proposed to address the problems that, unfortunately, accompany these restrictions," said Peskov, without confirming that the shutdowns were due to the white lists testing.
From Barron's • Mar. 11, 2026
Males may also accompany females closely or compete directly with rival males in intense physical encounters.
From Science Daily • Mar. 5, 2026
“Yes,” said Elizabeth, “I will go, although she is guilty; and you, Victor, shall accompany me; I cannot go alone.”
From "Frankenstein" by Mary Shelley
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
