Meaning & use
accompaniment
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Meanings
nouncountable or uncountablemusic
Music that supports a main singer or player, such as piano, guitar, or orchestra parts behind a soloist.
Grammar: Uncountable for the supporting role generally; countable when naming a particular arrangement or part.
Patterns
- piano accompaniment
- provide accompaniment
- accompaniment for a singer
- without accompaniment
She sang the aria with piano accompaniment.
The choirbook provides accompaniment for each hymn.
He practiced the melody first and added accompaniment later.
nouncountable
Something that is served or experienced together with something else to complement it, especially food or drink.
Grammar: Usually countable in this use and followed by to: an accompaniment to the fish.
Patterns
- accompaniment to something
- serve as an accompaniment
- perfect accompaniment
- with an accompaniment
A sharp salad is a good accompaniment to grilled cheese.
The sauce is served as an accompaniment to the fish.
Silence was the perfect accompaniment to the evening walk.
Word forms
| plural | accompaniments |
|---|
Common combinations
- piano accompaniment
- The recital includes piano accompaniment by a local teacher.
- musical accompaniment
- The film uses minimal musical accompaniment.
- accompaniment to a meal
- Lemon butter is a classic accompaniment to a meal of fish.
- without accompaniment
- The verse is sung without accompaniment.
Synonyms and how they differ
- backup
- Informal music support, while accompaniment is neutral and can be classical or written out.
- support
- General help; accompaniment is a specific supporting part or complementary addition.
- complement
- Something that completes or matches; accompaniment often implies served or performed alongside.
- side
- A food served with a main dish; accompaniment can include sauce, drink, or music too.
Opposites
Word family
- accompany verb
- To go along with someone or provide musical support.
- accompanist noun
- A musician who plays accompaniment.
- accompanying adjective
- Going together with something as a related addition.
Commonly confused: accompaniment or company? accompaniment or accommodation?
accompaniment vs company
Company means companionship or a business; accompaniment is a supporting part or complementary item.
accompaniment vs accommodation
Accommodation is lodging or adjustment; accompaniment is something added alongside.
Practice
Choose the correct preposition: The chutney was served as an accompaniment ___ the curry.
Choose one answer.
The standard pattern is accompaniment to something. For, with, and of are common near food words, but they do not form the fixed collocation here.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “accompaniment”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.