accompany

American  

[uh-kuhm-puh-nee] / əˈkʌm pə ni /

verb (used with object)

accompanies, present (3rd person singular) accompanied, past participle, past accompanying present participle

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.

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verb (used without object)

accompanies, present (3rd person singular) accompanied, past participle, past accompanying present participle

1. to provide the musical accompaniment.

accompany British  

/ 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)

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Synonym Usage

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

Derived Forms

• accompanier
  noun
• nonaccompanying
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Participles

• accompanying
  present
• accompanied
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• accompany
  simple
• accompanies
  simple
• have accompanied
  perfect
• has accompanied
  perfect
• am accompanying
  progressive
• are accompanying
  progressive
• is accompanying
  progressive
• have been accompanying
  perfect progressive
• has been accompanying
  perfect progressive

Past

• accompanied
  simple
• had accompanied
  perfect
• was accompanying
  progressive
• were accompanying
  progressive
• had been accompanying
  perfect progressive

Future

• will accompany
  simple
• will have accompanied
  perfect
• will be accompanying
  progressive
• will have been accompanying
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of accompany

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

Explanation

The verb accompany means to keep someone company, or to be their companion on a trip or journey. In a musical sense, accompany means to play background music for the lead singer or soloist. If you want your friend to keep you company on your way to the store, you could ask her to accompany you on the walk. Or, if you want your friend to play piano while you sing a song, you could ask her to accompany you on piano. Just don’t ask her to do both at the same time or your friend may not want to accompany you anywhere any longer.

Example Sentences

Not transport you somewhere else, but accompany you across the small, quiet distance between one version of your life and the next.

From Salon • Jun. 30, 2026

Americans are captivated by the dizzying displays of group fervor, zany behavior and national pride that accompany nearly every match at each of the 16 venues in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 22, 2026

Anticipating a win, it has even booked interest income that would accompany a refund.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 21, 2026

That means they're experiencing more of the chronic illnesses and health issues that can accompany old age.

From Barron's • Jun. 15, 2026

Odysseus and the two chieftains chosen to accompany him found the hero with his friend Patroclus, who of all men on earth was dearest to him.

From "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton

Related Words

• attend
• escort
• follow
• guide
• lead