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Synonyms

accouterment

American  
[uh-koo-ter-muhnt, -truh-] / əˈku tər mənt, -trə- /
especially British, accoutrement

noun

  1. a clothing accessory or an accessory piece of equipment: You will need sleeping bags and other accouterments for camping.

    These nautical cufflinks are the perfect accouterment to any boating enthusiast's dress shirt.

    You will need sleeping bags and other accouterments for camping.

  2. a piece of equipment carried by a soldier, excluding weapons and clothing.

  3. a characteristic feature, object, or sign associated with a particular role, situation, etc: Its members all have children, husbands, and the other accouterments of middle-class, American suburban living.

    I take the snob to be someone with an exaggerated respect for wealth and all the other accouterments of status.

    Its members all have children, husbands, and the other accouterments of middle-class, American suburban living.


Etymology

Origin of accouterment

First recorded in 1540–50; from Middle French accou(s)trement; see origin at accouter, -ment

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.

See Examples For:

But the extra accouterment hasn’t held him back.

From The Wall Street Journal Aug. 2, 2025

You can snack on them solo, but these crackers would also make a great accouterment for cheese platters or rich and festive dips.

From Salon Nov. 25, 2022

For food, its charcuterie vending machine dispenses cheeses, meats and other accouterment.

From Seattle Times Nov. 9, 2022

She accepted, and soon after she started her first business — a line of window dressing accouterment — out of their house.

From New York Times Nov. 27, 2018

There is little use in pressing your trousers between two boards under the mattress if you discount such neatness with the accouterment of an invading Martian.

From Greener Than You Think by Ward Moore

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