accompaniment

noun

ac·​com·​pa·​ni·​ment ə-ˈkəm-pə-nē-mənt 

-ˈkəmp-nē-

1

music : an instrumental or vocal part designed to support or complement a melody

sang the song with a piano accompaniment

2

a

: an addition (such as an ornament) intended to give completeness or symmetry to something : complement

a tie that's a nice accompaniment to his new suit

b

: an accompanying situation or occurrence : concomitant

studied Italian as an accompaniment to her art history class

accompanimental

ə-ˌkəm-pə-nē-ˈmen-tᵊl 

-ˌkəmp-nē-

adjective

Synonyms of accompaniment

• complement
• companion
• attendant
• concomitant
• incident
• corollary
• obbligato
• consequence
• adjunct

Examples of accompaniment in a Sentence

She sings without musical accompaniment.

A nice tie was a fine accompaniment to his new suit.

This dish can be served as an accompaniment to most meat main dishes.

This wine is a good accompaniment for spicy foods.

She studied Italian as an accompaniment to her classes in art history.

Recent Examples on the Web

So, in my toddler mind, the best part of the record has to be when the least of the band members were playing in accompaniment with the drummer. — Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2026

Performed without musical accompaniment, their unrestrained bodily movements culminate in an act of collective protest and reclamation of public space. — Elisa R. Linn, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2026

The adventures of Addison’s titular shilling include being hoarded, offered as a bribe, and sent as an insulting accompaniment to a letter disinheriting a son. — Literary Hub, 28 Aug. 2026

Pasta salad, potato salad, or other summer vegetable dishes also make perfect accompaniments. — Elizabeth Nelson, Southern Living, 26 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

accompany + -ment, on the model of French accompagnement, going back to Old French acompaignement "feudal power-sharing contract," derivative of acompaigner "to accompany"

First Known Use

1697, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing accompaniment

• to the accompaniment of

Kids Definition

accompaniment

noun

ac·​com·​pa·​ni·​ment ə-ˈkəmp-(ə-)nē-mənt 

1

: music played along with a solo part to enrich it

2

: an accompanying object, situation, or event