company
company — verb
- companypresent simple I / you / we / they
- companies3rd person singular
- companying-ing form
- companiedpast simple
1. to go somewhere with someone in order to keep them company or make sure they are
to go somewhere with someone in order to keep them company or make sure they are safe
Putri companied her grandmother to the weekly market every Saturday morning.
company + object + to [place]
The security officer companied the visitor to the front gate of the factory.
Iker companied his younger sister to the library so she would not walk alone.
company + object + infinitive of purpose
A nurse companied the elderly patient from the ward to the X-ray room downstairs.
Dahlia companied her visiting cousin to the night market despite feeling very tired that evening.
company + object + to [place] despite [circumstance]
- company someone to [place]
- company someone home
- company someone to the door
Grammar Patterns
company + object
Usage Note
Frequently used in formal or literary contexts. In everyday conversation the verb 'accompany' is far more common. The object is always a person — a family member, guest, or someone needing assistance.
Common Mistakes
2. to spend time with a particular person or group, especially one that other peopl
to spend time with a particular person or group, especially one that other people consider unsuitable or morally questionable
Padma's parents warned her not to company with the older crowd at the skate park.
company + with + [person/group] — negative connotation
The old fisherman was known for companying with sailors from every port along the coast.
Kwame had been companying with a group of musicians who practised in an abandoned warehouse.
The villagers disapproved of anyone who companied with the outlaws hiding in the nearby hills.
passive disapproval pattern: disapproved of anyone who companied with
Mert refused to company with colleagues who spread lies about their coworkers.
- company with [person/group]
- refuse to company with
- companying with criminals/outlaws
- associate
neutral register, far more common than 'company' in modern English
- mix
informal, suggests casual social interaction
- fraternise
formal, often used in military or institutional contexts
Grammar Patterns
company + with + someone
Usage Note
Requires the preposition 'with'. Frequently carries a negative or disapproving connotation suggesting the person or group associated with is of questionable character. The proverb 'a man is known by the company he keeps' reflects this sense.
Common Mistakes
company — noun
- companysingular
- companiesplural
1. A group of people working together to make products or carry out paid work with
A group of people working together to make products or carry out paid work with the aim of earning money.
Benjamin works for a software company that creates apps for hospitals.
countable noun: a company / two companies
The company announced plans to open three new stores in Taiwan next year.
Jiwoo started her own company selling handmade pottery at local craft markets.
collocation: start / run / own a company
That delivery company offers same-day shipping across the whole island.
- start a company
- run a company
- own a company
- software company
- delivery company
- company headquarters
- company profits
- firm
slightly more formal, often used in professional contexts
- corporation
a large legally structured company, often with shareholders
- business
broader term covering any commercial activity, not necessarily a formal organization
Common Mistakes
2. The condition of having someone near you so that you are not alone, or the peopl
The condition of having someone near you so that you are not alone, or the people who are with you in such a situation.
After the funeral, Sade was grateful for the company of her closest friends.
pattern: be grateful for the company of [someone]
Tuan enjoys the company of other passengers during his long train rides to work.
Élise missed the company of her university classmates after moving to a new city.
collocation: miss the company of [someone]
Being in the company of cheerful people made Felix feel more hopeful about his situation.
- enjoy the company of
- miss the company of
- grateful for the company
- in the company of
- companionship
warmer, more emotional than 'company'; suggests closeness
- presence
more neutral; simply 'being there' without the warmth of 'company'
- solitude
the state of being alone, especially by choice
- loneliness
unhappy feeling of being alone
Usage Note
Uncountable — do not use 'a company' when you mean the presence of others (that would switch to the BUSINESS sense). Use 'the company of [someone]' or 'some company'.
Common Mistakes
3. Having the quality of being enjoyable and interesting to spend time with, used w
Having the quality of being enjoyable and interesting to spend time with, used with 'be' and an adjective such as good, wonderful, or excellent.
Benjamin's grandfather is wonderful company — he tells the best stories about his childhood.
pattern: be + [adjective] + company
Kian is always great company on long drives because he sings and tells jokes.
The tour guide was excellent company, sharing local legends along the walking route.
Even on rainy days, Heloísa is good company because her cheer lifts others up.
- good company
- great company
- wonderful company
- excellent company
- entertaining person
more specific; focuses on being amusing rather than generally pleasant
- pleasant companion
warmer, more personal than the abstract 'good company'
- bore
someone who is dull and makes time feel slow
Usage Note
Only used with 'be' + an adjective (good / wonderful / excellent / great company). Cannot be used before a noun (❌ 'a good-company friend'). Distinguish from sense 2 (PRESENCE OF OTHERS), which describes the state of not being alone — sense 3 evaluates the quality of the person you are with.
Common Mistakes
4. To feel comfortable and content while spending time by yourself, without needing
To feel comfortable and content while spending time by yourself, without needing other people around you.
Aaron is perfectly happy with his own company and spends most weekends reading at home.
pattern: be happy with / enjoy + one's own company
After years of living alone, Grandmother had learned to enjoy her own company.
Eitan is rarely lonely — he values his own company and paints during quiet time.
Diya turned down the dinner invitation because she prefers her own company on Friday nights.
collocation: prefer one's own company
- enjoy one's own company
- be happy with one's own company
- prefer one's own company
- value one's own company
- be self-sufficient
broader; can refer to practical independence, not just emotional comfort being alone
- be independent
general trait of not relying on others, not specific to solitude
- need company
the opposite — feeling uncomfortable when alone
- lonely
the negative emotional state of wanting but lacking company
Usage Note
A possessive adjective (my / your / his / her / their / one's) is required before 'own company'. Common with verbs like 'enjoy', 'prefer', 'be happy with', and 'value'.
Common Mistakes
5. An activity done with the aim of reducing the feeling of being alone, especially
An activity done with the aim of reducing the feeling of being alone, especially when nobody else is around.
Jiwoo turned on the radio for company while she cooked dinner in her small kitchen.
pattern: [noun/activity] for company
Caleb brings his dog along for company whenever he goes hiking in the mountains.
The man kept the TV on all day for company, even without watching it.
Sade kept a small plant on her desk for company during late nights at work.
- for company
- play music for company
- turn on the TV for company
- have a pet for company
Usage Note
Always follows a noun or verb phrase describing the activity: [verb] [something] for company. Distinguish from sense 6 (KEEP COMPANY) — sense 5 involves objects or background activities (radio, TV, pet), not active human presence.
6. To stay physically near someone in order to prevent them from feeling lonely, of
To stay physically near someone in order to prevent them from feeling lonely, often because they are sad, sick, or waiting for something.
Tuan stayed late at the hospital to keep his grandmother company after her surgery.
pattern: keep + [someone] + company
Felix's sister asked him to keep her company while she waited for the school bus.
Élise kept her roommate company by watching films with her after she received bad news.
Volunteers visit the shelter every Sunday to keep the elderly residents company.
- keep someone company
- keep my mother company
- keep the patient company
- leave alone
to stop being with someone
- abandon
stronger; to leave someone who needs you
Usage Note
The person being accompanied is always the object of 'keep' (keep + someone + company). Cannot be rearranged as 'keep company with someone' (that pattern belongs to a different, older idiom meaning 'associate with').
Common Mistakes
7. a team of professional performers — such as actors, dancers, or musicians — who
a team of professional performers — such as actors, dancers, or musicians — who work together to put on shows, often as part of a named organisation.
Mateo joined a theatre company that toured small towns across the country.
collocation: theatre company + toured [area]
The ballet company will perform Swan Lake at the city hall next month.
Aylin's dance company was invited to perform at a festival in Kyoto this spring.
possessive [name]'s dance company
The Riverside Theatre Company cancelled 'The Glass Garden' after losing its main donor.
The company of young actors put on three different plays during the winter season.
company of [performers] + put on [shows]
- theatre company
- dance company
- opera company
- touring company
- repertory company
Usage Note
Frequently used as part of an organisation's official name (e.g., 'the Royal Shakespeare Company'). Refers specifically to professional performing groups — not to amateur or casual performance groups.
Common Mistakes
8. a subdivision of a battalion in an army, typically made up of several platoons a
a subdivision of a battalion in an army, typically made up of several platoons and led by a captain or major.
Captain Felix commanded a company of about one hundred soldiers during the mission.
captain + commanded a company + number of soldiers
Each company in the regiment carried its own flag with a special symbol.
The soldiers in Third Company set up their camp near the river before dawn.
numbered company: Third Company
Yuna's father served in a supply company that delivered food to the front line.
type of company: supply company
The company commander ordered the troops to move east before the sun rose.
- infantry company
- supply company
- rifle company
- company commander
- company headquarters
Usage Note
A formal military term. A company is a sub-unit of a battalion, typically commanded by a captain and made up of several platoons. Units are often referred to by a number or letter — e.g., 'Alpha Company', '3rd Company' — rather than by a name.
Common Mistakes
9. a local organised group of Girl Guides (or Girl Scouts) that meets regularly for
a local organised group of Girl Guides (or Girl Scouts) that meets regularly for activities, skill development, and community service.
The local Guide company met every Saturday to work on their outdoor skills badges.
Guide company + meet for [activity]
Kenji's sister joined a Guide company that focused on environmental projects.
The Guide company organised a bake sale to raise money for the animal shelter.
Guide company + organised [event] + to [purpose]
Amihan volunteered to help her daughter's Guide company with the camping trip.
- Guide company
- Brownie company
- company meeting
- company leader
Usage Note
Primarily British English. In the US, the equivalent group is almost always called a 'troop'. The same organisational structure applies to younger sections — a 'Brownie company' follows the same pattern. Not used in American English for scouting groups.
The people that someone chooses to spend time with.
Maya's father disapproved of the company she kept after school.
The company you keep says a lot about your character.
To spend time with friends who have a bad influence.
Diego got into bad company and started skipping classes.
Parents often worry their kids will keep bad company.
Together with or at the same time as someone or something.
The CEO arrived in company with the board members.
In company with rising costs, profits have fallen sharply.
in good company
idiomUsed to tell someone not to worry about a mistake because even important people have made the same mistake.
If you've ever forgotten an anniversary, you're in good company.
Don't feel bad about your error; you are in good company.
To stay with someone so that they are not alone.
Sara kept her grandmother company during the long hospital stay.
Will you keep me company while I walk home?
To leave someone or end a relationship with them.
After ten years, the band decided to part company with their drummer.
We parted company at the airport and never saw each other again.
Used after a critical remark to show that the people being spoken to are not included.
Some people here are very rude, present company excepted of course.
The team is lazy, present company excepted, Brian.
Said to suggest that two people are enough and a third person would be unwanted.
When my friend brought his sister along, I thought two's company, three's a crowd.
They wanted a romantic dinner alone, so they said two's company.
Word family
- companionnounB2
- accompanyverbB2
- companionshipnounC1
- unaccompaniedadjectiveC1
Synonym discussion
Sense: verb/1
The verb 'company' (GO WITH) and the phrase 'keep someone company' (noun sense 6) both involve being with someone, but they differ in structure and nuance. 'Company' as a verb is formal and means going somewhere with someone, usually to ensure safety — like escorting a guest to the door. 'Keep someone company' is more about staying with someone to prevent loneliness, often in a static setting (hospital, home, waiting room). 'Accompany' is the neutral, everyday verb for going somewhere with someone and can replace both; it is far more common than the verb 'company'. 'Escort' adds a layer of protection or formality. Example: 'A nurse accompanied (or escorted) the patient to the X-ray room.' vs. 'Tuan stayed late to keep his grandmother company after surgery.' The verb 'company' fits the first scenario but would sound strange in the second.
Common collocations
Phrases
- keep someone company
- part company
- in company with
- for company
- be good company
- have company over
- present company excepted
Prepositions
Etymology
The word 'company' entered English through Old French 'compaignie', meaning 'companionship' or 'society'. It traces back to Late Latin 'companio', literally 'one who eats bread with another' — from Latin 'com-' ('together') and 'panis' ('bread'). A companion was originally a messmate, someone you shared a meal with. The business sense (noun/1) emerged in the 1500s, from the idea of a group of people united for a commercial purpose.