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.

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Etymology

Origin of accouterment

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

Example Sentences

But the extra accouterment hasn’t held him back.

From The Wall Street Journal • Aug. 2, 2025

This fragrant, crispy, classic accouterment — which is welcome alongside anything from lasagna to something entirely non-Italian or Italian American — takes the number-one spot.

From Salon • Dec. 28, 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

He carries no contrivances for polishing buttons, boots, or the dozen of bits of accouterment deemed essential to a good soldier in Europe.

From Scientific American Supplement, No. 1178, June 25, 1898 by Various

Related Words

• accessory
• accoutrement
• trappings