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 of accompany

• escort
• attend
• see
• bring
• companion

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

Interestingly, the mechanical design ensures the device remains operational during the power outages that typically accompany major earthquakes or structural disasters. —Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 5 Mar. 2026

After longtime Today host Hoda Kotb exited the show's fourth hour last January, the program was renamed to Today With Jenna & Friends, which featured a rotating cast of co-anchors to accompany Hager. —Daysia Tolentino, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Mar. 2026

The event will take place on Friday, March 13, accompanied by a blue ribbon event to follow. —Christina Perrier, InStyle, 4 Mar. 2026

On the other hand, this could easily accompany a side of sausage. —Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 4 Mar. 2026

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

Rhymes for accompany

• company
• intercompany

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