accompaniment
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
a musical part that supports a main singer or instrument.
a musical part, typically instrumental, that provides rhythmic or harmonic support for a soloist or melody.
Simple“The singer performed a beautiful folk song with a simple piano accompaniment.”
In context“The violinist's intricate solo was bolstered by a subtle orchestral accompaniment that never overpowered the delicate phrasing of the lead instrument.”
UsageOften used with the preposition 'to'.
- 02 C1 Advanced
something that is served with or added to a main thing to complete it.
something that attends as a circumstance or is added to enhance the principal subject, often in a culinary or aesthetic context.
Simple“A sharp sauce is a perfect accompaniment to this rich chocolate cake.”
In context“The high inflation rate was an unfortunate accompaniment to the country's rapid industrial growth during that decade.”
UsageCommonly takes the preposition 'to' when describing a pairing.
Synonyms
“Music is also used to distinguish between her notions of straight and queer sex as she brings wild physicality first to a bluntly staccato accompaniment and then to multitudinous free jazz.”
“Immigrants probably first brought yogurt to the US in the nineteenth century, keeping cultures alive, making batches in home kitchens, and typically eating it as an unsweetened accompaniment to savory food.”
From French accompagnement; equivalent to accompany + -ment. First attested in 1744.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.