accompany

English

Etymology

  • First attested in early 15th century.

From Middle English accompanien, from Old French acompagner (“to associate with”), from compaign (“companion”). See company.

Pronunciation

  • (RP) IPA: /ə.ˈkʌm.pə.ni/, /ə.ˈkʌmp.ni/
  • Audio (US)
    		(file)

Verb

accompany (third-person singular simple present accompanies, present participle accompanying, simple past and past participle accompanied)

  1. (transitive) To go with or attend as a companion or associate; to keep company with; to go along with.
    Geoffrey accompanied the group on their pilgrimage.
    • 1804 Richard Glover:
      The Persian dames, … / In sumptuous cars, accompanied his march.
    • 1581, Philip Sidney, An Apology of Poetry, or a Defense of Poesy, Book I:
      They are never alone that are accompanied with noble thoughts.
    • 1979, Thomas Babington Macaulay, The History of England:
      He was accompanied by two carts filled with wounded rebels.
  2. (transitive) To supplement with; add to.
  3. (intransitive, music) To perform an accompanying part or parts in a composition.
  4. (transitive, music) To perform an accompanying part next to another instrument.
    The strings were accompanied by two woodwinds.
  5. (intransitive, obsolete) To associate in a company; to keep company.
    • (Can we date this quote?) Holland:
      Men say that they will drive away one another, … and not accompany together.
  6. (intransitive, obsolete) To cohabit (with).
  7. (transitive, obsolete) To cohabit with; to coexist with; occur with.

Usage notes

(to go with): Persons are said to be accompanied by, and inanimate objects, state or condition is said to be accompanied with.

Synonyms
  • We accompany those with whom we go as companions. The word imports an equality of station.
  • We attend those whom we wait upon or follow. The word conveys an idea of subordination.
  • We escort those whom we attend with a view to guard and protect.
    A gentleman accompanies a friend to some public place; he attends or escorts a lady.

Related terms

Translations

to perform an accompanying part or parts in a composition
to attend as a companion
to perform an accompanying part next to another instrument
to keep company
obsolete: to cohabit
obsolete: to cohabit with
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Last modified on 19 May 2013, at 16:05