accompaniment
/əˈkʌmpənimənt/ (bre, ipa) · /əˈkʌmpənimənt/ (ame, ipa) · /ə-ˈkəm-pə-nē-mənt -ˈkəmp-nē-/ (ame, mw)
accompaniment — noun
1. the supporting part of a piece of music — usually played on piano, guitar, or by
the supporting part of a piece of music — usually played on piano, guitar, or by an orchestra — that sits beneath a singer or solo instrument while the main melody plays on top.
Mei sang an old folk song to the gentle accompaniment of a single guitar.
to the accompaniment of [instrument]
Mr. Lin wrote a piano accompaniment for his daughter's violin recital.
accompaniment for [solo instrument]
The church choir sang the first verse without any accompaniment, then the organ joined in.
The orchestra provided a soft accompaniment while the soprano hit the high notes.
- backing
more informal; common in pop/rock contexts
- backing track
specifically a pre-recorded instrumental track
- solo
music with no supporting part
文法句型
accompaniment to/for [singer/instrument]
to the accompaniment of [instrument]
用法筆記
Often appears in the fixed phrase 'to the accompaniment of [instrument]', meaning while that instrument is playing. Distinguish from sense 2 (the act of playing along) — this sense is the music itself, often written down on a score.
常見錯誤
2. the act of performing alongside a singer or another musician to support what the
the act of performing alongside a singer or another musician to support what they are doing, rather than the supporting part itself.
Greta earns extra money through accompaniment of jazz singers at a small downtown club.
accompaniment of [singer/musician]
Her accompaniment of the visiting cellist was praised by every reviewer in the city.
[someone's] accompaniment of [a soloist]
Mr. Paloma has spent thirty years in the quiet work of accompaniment, never seeking the spotlight.
The pianist's sensitive accompaniment lifted the young singer's confidence on stage.
- backing
less formal; refers to either the activity or the part
文法句型
accompaniment of [a singer/musician]
用法筆記
Refers to the activity of playing along, not the score itself — distinguish from sense 1. Subject is typically a person who supports another performer (often a pianist behind a singer).
3. the sounds — often loud, harsh, or unwelcome — that fill the air while you are d
the sounds — often loud, harsh, or unwelcome — that fill the air while you are doing something else, used in the phrase 'to the accompaniment of'.
Nia tried to study to the accompaniment of jackhammers in the street outside.
to the accompaniment of [unpleasant noise]
The mayor gave her speech to the accompaniment of loud boos from the crowd.
to the accompaniment of boos / shouts
The children fell asleep to the accompaniment of heavy rain on the tin roof.
Diners ate dinner to the accompaniment of fireworks bursting over the harbour.
- backdrop
broader; can be visual or aural
文法句型
to the accompaniment of [sound]
用法筆記
Almost always appears in the fixed phrase 'to the accompaniment of [noise]'. Distinguish from sense 1: here the sound need not be music, and the focus is on the noise as a backdrop to a separate activity.
4. a second event, condition, or feeling that turns up alongside a main one — such
a second event, condition, or feeling that turns up alongside a main one — such as a fever that arrives with the flu, or constant worry that arrives with a new job.
Sleepless nights are a familiar accompaniment to early parenthood for most couples.
[X] is an accompaniment to [related event]
Empty supermarket shelves were an unwelcome accompaniment of the strict winter lockdown in Madrid.
an unwelcome accompaniment of [larger event]
Mild fever is a common accompaniment of the flu in young children.
Loud street protests outside parliament were the inevitable accompaniment to the new fuel tax last March.
- by-product
implies a side result of a process
- concomitant
very formal; mostly academic or medical
文法句型
accompaniment to/of [event]
用法筆記
Formal register; common in news, academic, and medical writing. Subject is usually an abstract noun (a feeling, condition, or event) rather than a person or object.
5. a smaller dish or drink that you serve next to a main one to make the meal taste
a smaller dish or drink that you serve next to a main one to make the meal taste or feel more complete — for example, rice next to curry, or red wine next to steak.
Steamed rice is the perfect accompaniment to a spicy Thai curry.
accompaniment to [main dish]
Aunt Rosa served warm bread as an accompaniment to the tomato soup.
as an accompaniment to [dish]
A glass of cold beer is a classic accompaniment to grilled sausages.
The chef recommends a light salad as an accompaniment to the grilled fish.
- main course
the central dish that the accompaniment supports
文法句型
accompaniment to [food/drink]
用法筆記
Always countable in this sense. Almost always followed by 'to' (not 'of'): 'accompaniment to the meal'. The accompaniment is by definition the smaller or supporting part of the meal.
常見錯誤
6. a small extra item — often decorative — added next to something larger to make t
a small extra item — often decorative — added next to something larger to make the whole thing feel finished or balanced, such as a pocket square next to a suit.
A silk scarf was the elegant accompaniment to her dark winter coat.
elegant accompaniment to [main outfit]
Fresh flowers on the table are a lovely accompaniment to any dinner party.
lovely accompaniment to [setting]
A leather belt is the natural accompaniment to a pair of dark jeans.
Soft yellow lamps were the perfect accompaniment to the wooden floor of the new café.
- complement
more common; same idea of completing something
- finishing touch
everyday phrase for the last small detail added
文法句型
accompaniment to [main object]
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 5: this is a non-food complement (clothing, decoration, design), focused on visual completeness. Subject is usually a small object that beautifies a larger one.