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

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

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

The Environmental Audit Committee said the only prospect of meeting net zero would be if airport expansion was "accompanied by a serious strategic approach to increasing the pace of decarbonising aviation".

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Tougher sanctions can drive up the cost of war for Mr. Putin, but they will be more powerful if they are accompanied by more weapons for Ukraine.

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That buy signal is marked with a green “B” on the accompanying VIX chart.

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The post was accompanied by a video that appears to show a boat catching fire after being struck by a US bomb.

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In the summer, Heathrow Airport revealed its £49bn plans to build a third runway and accompanying infrastructure, including a new road tunnel under the airport, and widening the M25 motorway between junctions 14 and 15.

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Related Words

• attend 
• escort 
• follow 
• guide 
• lead