# accompaniment

/əˈkəmpnimənt/ (US) · /ɐkˈʌmpɐnˌɪmənt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/accompaniment
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. music

noun · CEFR B2

a musical part that supports a main singer or instrument.

For teachers: a musical part, typically instrumental, that provides rhythmic or harmonic support for a soloist or melody.

- The singer performed a beautiful folk song with a simple piano accompaniment.
- The violinist's intricate solo was bolstered by a subtle orchestral accompaniment that never overpowered the delicate phrasing of the lead instrument.

Usage: Often used with the preposition 'to'.

### 2. food or addition

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

something that is served with or added to a main thing to complete it.

For teachers: something that attends as a circumstance or is added to enhance the principal subject, often in a culinary or aesthetic context.

- A sharp sauce is a perfect accompaniment to this rich chocolate cake.
- The high inflation rate was an unfortunate accompaniment to the country's rapid industrial growth during that decade.

Usage: Commonly takes the preposition 'to' when describing a pairing.

## Examples

- The steak comes with a delicious vegetable accompaniment.
- The pianist provided a subtle accompaniment that allowed the soprano's voice to remain the focal point of the performance.
- While the main course was impressive, the wine pairing served as a necessary accompaniment that balanced the richness of the sauce and cleansed the palate between bites.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.