accompany

[uh-kuhm-puh-nee]

verb (used with object)

accompanied, accompanying 

1. to go along or in company with; join in action.

   to accompany a friend on a walk.

2. to be or exist in association or company with.

   Thunder accompanies lightning.

3. to put in company with; cause to be or go along; associate (usually followed bywith ).

   He accompanied his speech with gestures.

4. Music.,  to play or sing an accompaniment to or for.

verb (used without object)

accompanied, accompanying 

1. to provide the musical accompaniment.

accompany

/ əˈkʌmpənɪ, əˈkʌmpnɪ /

verb

1. (tr) to go along with, so as to be in company with or escort

2. to supplement

   the food is accompanied with a very hot mango pickle

3. (tr) to occur, coexist, or be associated with

4. to provide a musical accompaniment for (a performer)

Other Word Forms

• nonaccompanying adjective
• reaccompany verb (used with object)
• accompanier noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of accompany¹

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English accompanye, from Middle French accompagnier; ac-, company

Word History and Origins

Origin of accompany¹

C15: from Old French accompaignier, from compaing _companion ¹

Synonym Study

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.

Example Sentences

He keeps the piano in a small, uncluttered studio upstairs from the den at his house; that’s where he cut “Shine,” singing live as he accompanied himself in real time.

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The weakness of the yen has been accompanied by a sharp rise in long-term Japanese government bond yields.

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The weakness of the yen has been accompanied by a sharp rise in long-term Japanese government bond yields.

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When “Toy Story 5” comes out next year, for example, millennials who saw the original in theaters as kids 30 years ago will be accompanying their own kids.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Several Latin American presidents and leaders have expressed their willingness to accompany Machado to Norway.

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Related Words

• attend 
• escort 
• follow 
• guide 
• lead