accompany

verb

ac·​com·​pa·​ny ə-ˈkəmp-nē 

-ˈkämp-;

-ˈkəm-pə-,

-ˈkäm- 

accompanied; accompanying

transitive verb

1

: to go with as an associate or companion

She accompanied me to the store.

2

: to perform an accompaniment to or for

He will be accompanying her on the piano.

3

a

: to cause to be in association

accompanied their advice with a warning

b

: to be in association with

the pictures that accompany the text

intransitive verb

music : to perform an accompaniment

Synonyms

• attend
• chaperone
• chaperon
• companion
• company
• convoy
• escort
• see
• squire

Examples of accompany in a Sentence

She will accompany me to the store.

Ten adults accompanied the class on their field trip.

Children under 17 must be accompanied by an adult to see this movie.

A delicious sauce accompanied the grilled fish.

He will be accompanying her on the piano.

Recent Examples on the Web

Symptoms that accompany the syndrome include hives, low blood pressure, challenges with breathing, severe diarrhea and swelling. —Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 26 Oct. 2024

The Andrew Alden Ensemble will accompany the film with live music that includes elements of classical chamber music and rock, featuring a string trio, synthesizers, percussion, piano, and vibraphone. —Duante Beddingfield, Detroit Free Press, 25 Oct. 2024

Occasionally, galaxy clusters are observed slamming into each other; careful observations of the dynamics of the collision can reveal the presence of unseen matter accompanying both members of the pair. —Dan Falk, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 Oct. 2024

Jimmy Fallon is ready to ring in the most wonderful time of the year, and the Tonight Show host will accompany his upcoming festive album with a television special. —Rania Aniftos, Billboard, 24 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English accompanien "to make (someone) a companion or associate, be in company with, attend," borrowed from Anglo-French acumpainer, acompaigner "to join together, frequent, keep the company of," from a-, prefix forming transitive verbs (going back to Latin ad- ad-) + cumpaing, cumpaignun companion entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Kids Definition

accompany

verb

ac·​com·​pa·​ny ə-ˈkəmp-(ə-)nē 

accompanied; accompanying

1

: to go with or attend as a companion

2

: to perform an accompaniment to or for

3

: to occur at the same time as or along with

a thunderstorm accompanied by high winds

Etymology

Middle English accompanien "to accompany," from early French acompaigner (same meaning), from a- "to" and cumpaing "companion," from Latin companio "companion" — related to companion, company