Definitions
01to accompany for protection
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to go with someone to make sure they are safe or to show them the way.
v. to accompany a person, vehicle, or group for the purpose of protection, guidance, or security.
“Security guards will escort the famous singer to her car after the show.”
“The naval fleet was ordered to escort the merchant vessels through the high-risk zone to prevent any potential interference from hostile forces.”
Usage
This verb is transitive and requires a direct object.
Antonyms
02to go with socially
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to go with someone to a social event, often as their partner.
v. to accompany someone to a social gathering or formal event, typically as a partner or companion.
“He was proud to escort his daughter to the school dance.”
“The diplomat was invited to escort the visiting dignitary to the gala dinner held at the embassy.”
Usage
Often used in formal social contexts.
03a protective group or person
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. a person or a group of people who travel with someone to protect them.
n. a person, vehicle, or group of vehicles accompanying another for protection or as a mark of rank.
Español:escolta
“The president traveled with a police escort to the airport.”
“The armored convoy moved slowly through the city streets, flanked by a heavy military escort to deter any assassination attempts.”
04a social companion
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. someone who goes with you to a social event.
n. a person who accompanies another to a social event, often for the sake of appearance or etiquette.
“She needed an escort for the wedding, so she asked her brother to go.”
“In traditional high-society circles, it was once considered improper for a young woman to attend a ball without a suitable escort.”
05professional companion
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Formal
n. a person paid to go to social events with someone, or sometimes a sex worker.
n. a person whose company is hired for social occasions, or a euphemism for a sex worker who meets clients by appointment.
“He hired an escort to accompany him to the corporate dinner so he wouldn't be alone.”
“The agency specialized in providing professional escorts for high-profile clients who required a sophisticated companion for public appearances.”
Teaching tip
In modern contexts, this word is frequently used as a polite or legal term for a sex worker; learners should be aware of this double meaning.
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“Before Monday, no small boats had been officially recorded as arriving in the UK without an escort since 6 September 2025.” “No small boat arrivals to the UK coast without an escort have been officially recorded since 6 September, 2025.” Etymology
Borrowed from French escorte, itself borrowed from Italian scorta.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/escort
「カタカナ語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0
‘외래어’ data: 한국어기초사전 (국립국어원), CC BY-SA 2.0 KR
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0