accompany
uh-KUM-puh-nee
/əˈkʌm.pə.ni/
To play a musical instrument alongside a singer or another musician as support.
Focuses on providing musical backing or harmony that highlights the lead performer.
The story behind the word. Traces through Old French 'accompagner' to Vulgar Latin roots meaning 'to share bread with someone.' Thus, musically accompanying someone is akin to being a companion sharing harmony.
Word relationships
- back: Back is informal, whereas accompany carries refined musical connotations.
- support: Support is broad, while accompany specifically implies harmonizing along with a primary melody.
Commonly confused with
- lead: To lead is to take the primary melody; to accompany is to provide supporting instrumentation.
Word family
- accompaniment (noun): Musical decoration or instrument backing provided for a lead soloist.
- accompanist (noun): A musician who plays support for a soloist.
Collocations
- accompany on guitar
- accompany on piano
- musically accompany
- skillfully accompany
Example sentences
- "The experienced pianist agreed to accompany the young vocalist during her conservatory recital." Classical Recital
Memory hook
ACCOMPANY your COMPANION on stage with your instrument. Support a soloist.
When not to use
Do not use if two musicians play identical lead melodies in unison without supporting structure.
Fun facts
- Professional piano accompanists are often prized for their ability to sight-read complex scores instantaneously.
Explore more words
accommodate, ensemble, companionship, harmony, accomplice, back up
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