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to accompany

to accompany

30 3.8
To play music to support a singer or musician
  • verb
  • /əˈkʌmpəni/
translation icon : acompañar
  • Her father accompanies her on the harp.
  • accompany singing
  • accompany the music
  • accompanying musicians

You put it in the music that accompanies your words.

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Examples

  • Ready to accompany the band for a song at the Dog.

  • You put it in the music that accompanies your words.

  • And in connection to that, did she ever compose music to accompany any of her poems?

  • Yes, sir, that's my baby; she would sing, accompanying herself with runs and trills.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • Instrumentalists and singers perform "Robaim Tivea Prapey" to accompany a Cambodian classical children's dance of the same name.

    Academic text (2008)
  • She will accompany the singer on piano during the performance.

  • The musician agreed to accompany her friend on guitar for the concert.

  • He played a beautiful melody to accompany her singing.

Synonyms

to follow
vsto accompany
  • Jargon
45 5.0

To play with another musician while matching their timing

is the general act of musical support without stressing responsive matching
to play along
vsto accompany
3 3.4

To make music with another person or a recording

is used specifically to support a singer or another musician

Antonyms

60 2.9

Without any other people present

How Prominent

to solo
3 4.2
to feature
748 3.1
to accompany
30 3.8
to harmonize
  • Specialized
7 4.2

Surface Forms

accompany infinitive
accompanied past participle
accompanying present participle
accompanies third person singular

Morphology

accompany = company (transparent) = ac + company

The musical sense derives from the idea of providing companionship or support (i.e., to be with the performer), so learners familiar with 'company' can relate it.

Etymology

Accompany comes from old parts com- 'with' and panis 'bread' and is related to companion, a person who goes with you. So in music, to accompany a singer is to play 'with' them like a musical companion.