accompany

verb

ac·​com·​pa·​ny ə-ˈkəmp-nē 

-ˈkämp-;

-ˈkəm-pə-,

-ˈkäm- 

accompanied; accompanying

transitive verb

1

: to go with as an associate or companion

She accompanied me to the store.

2

: to perform an accompaniment to or for

He will be accompanying her on the piano.

3

a

: to cause to be in association

accompanied their advice with a warning

b

: to be in association with

the pictures that accompany the text

intransitive verb

music : to perform an accompaniment

Synonyms

• escort
• attend
• see
• bring
• companion

Examples of accompany in a Sentence

She will accompany me to the store.

Ten adults accompanied the class on their field trip.

Children under 17 must be accompanied by an adult to see this movie.

A delicious sauce accompanied the grilled fish.

He will be accompanying her on the piano.

Recent Examples on the Web

Starmer was accompanied by a delegation of British film industry heavyweights, including representatives from the British Film Institute, British Film Commission, Pinewood Studios, Elstree Studios and Civic Studios. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 9 Oct. 2025

The film will later be accompanied by a three-part docuseries. —Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 9 Oct. 2025

The meal would have been served family style, with many dishes laid out on the table all at once, next to their accompanying sauces and jellies. —Victoria Flexner, The Atlantic, 9 Oct. 2025

His attorneys also played a series of videos of family members in Mexico, accompanied by dramatic music. —Amy Yurkanin, ProPublica, 9 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English accompanien "to make (someone) a companion or associate, be in company with, attend," borrowed from Anglo-French acumpainer, acompaigner "to join together, frequent, keep the company of," from a-, prefix forming transitive verbs (going back to Latin ad- ad-) + cumpaing, cumpaignun companion entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for accompany

• company
• intercompany

Kids Definition

accompany

verb

ac·​com·​pa·​ny ə-ˈkəmp-(ə-)nē 

accompanied; accompanying

1

: to go with or attend as a companion

2

: to perform an accompaniment to or for

3

: to occur at the same time as or along with

a thunderstorm accompanied by high winds

Etymology

Middle English accompanien "to accompany," from early French acompaigner (same meaning), from a- "to" and cumpaing "companion," from Latin companio "companion" — related to companion, company