ENGLISH
REFERENCE

accompany

v.
US //əˈkəmpəni// UK //ɐkˈʌmpəni// ac·com·pa·ny
  1. 1 to go with someone (v.)
    B1 Intermediate

    to go somewhere with someone as a companion.

    to go with or attend as a companion or associate. Transitive; requires a direct object.

    Example

    Children under the age of twelve must be accompanied by an adult.

    Example

    The diplomat was accompanied by a small team of advisors during the high-level negotiations in Brussels.
  2. 2 to happen at the same time (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Academic

    to happen or exist at the same time as something else.

    to occur in association with something else; to coexist or be found at the same time.

    Example

    The fever was accompanied by a bad cough and a headache.

    Example

    The rapid economic growth was accompanied by a significant increase in urban migration and infrastructure demand.
  3. 3 to play music for someone (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Music

    to play a musical instrument while someone else sings or plays the main part.

    to perform an accompanying part or parts in a musical composition, providing harmonic or rhythmic support to a soloist.

    Example

    The famous singer was accompanied on the piano by her sister.

    Example

    The professor agreed to accompany the student on the harpsichord for his final recital performance.
Origin

* First attested in early 15th century. From Middle English accompanien, from Old French acompagner (“to associate with”), from compaing (“companion”), nominative singular of compaignon (“companion”). See company.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Word family

Last updated June 20, 2026