escort

escort — verb

IPA/ɪˈskɔːt/
KK[ɛskˈɔrt]IPA/esˈkɔːrt/
  • escortpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • escorts3rd person singular
  • escorting-ing form
  • escortedpast simple

1. to travel with a person, vehicle, or valuable item to make sure they arrive some

1.verbtransitiveB1
Definition

to travel with a person, vehicle, or valuable item to make sure they arrive somewhere safely or leave a place without any trouble.

Example

A security guard escorted the angry customer out of the shop.

escort + person + out of + place

Police motorcycles escorted the ambassador's car through the city centre.

escort + vehicle + through + place

Common collocations
  • escort someone out
  • escort someone to the door
  • escort a vehicle
  • escort safely
  • police escort
  • military escort
Synonyms
  • accompany

    more general; does not always imply safety or protection

  • guard

    stronger emphasis on preventing harm; often used for valuable items or prisoners

  • convoy

    specifically used for vehicles travelling together for protection

Grammar Patterns

escort + person/vehicle + prep. phrase (out of, to, through, from)

Usage Note

The passive form (be escorted) is very common, especially in news reports and official contexts. The object is usually a person, a vehicle, or a valuable item that needs protection.

Common Mistakes

The police escorted until the building.
The police escorted the visitors to the building.
'escort' needs a direct object before the prepositional phrase.

2. to walk with someone to a particular room, building, or area and show them where

2.verbtransitiveB1
Definition

to walk with someone to a particular room, building, or area and show them where things are.

Example

A staff member escorted the visitors around the research lab and answered their questions.

escort + person + around + place

The head teacher escorted the new student to her classroom on the first day.

escort + person + to + place

Common collocations
  • escort around the building
  • escort to one's seat
  • escort to the door
  • escort through the museum
Synonyms
  • guide

    more specific about providing information and direction

  • accompany

    broader; may not involve showing someone around

Grammar Patterns

escort + person + to/around + place

Usage Note

This sense focuses on guidance and hospitality rather than safety. The person escorting is usually a host, employee, or someone familiar with the place.

3. to go with someone to a party, dinner, dance, or other social event as their inv

3.verbtransitiveB1
Definition

to go with someone to a party, dinner, dance, or other social event as their invited partner.

Example

Jason escorted his cousin to the school prom because she did not have a date.

The general's daughter was escorted to the military ball by a young officer.

passive: was escorted + to + event

Common collocations
  • escort someone to a dance
  • escort someone to dinner
  • escort a guest
Synonyms
  • accompany

    more neutral and broader; does not specifically suggest a date-like role

  • take

    less formal; common in everyday speech

Grammar Patterns

escort + person + to + social event

Usage Note

In modern English, the verb 'escort' in this social sense is somewhat formal. In everyday conversation, 'take' or 'go with' is more common. The noun 'escort' is still widely used for this meaning.

escort — noun

IPA/ˈeskɔːt/
KK[ˈɛskɔrt]IPA/ˈeskɔːrt/

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

'Escort', 'accompany', 'guard', and 'convoy' all involve going somewhere with someone, but they differ in purpose and register. 'Escort' (verb/1) emphasises safe arrival or orderly departure — you escort someone out of a building or escort a VIP through a crowd. 'Accompany' is the broadest term: it simply means going with someone for any reason, from a walk to a funeral. 'Guard' adds a strong layer of protection against threats — a bodyguard guards a person, but an escort may simply guide them to a car. 'Convoy' is used almost exclusively for vehicles travelling together for mutual protection, such as military trucks or aid convoys. For example: 'A nurse escorted the patient to the ward' (safe arrival), 'The singer was accompanied by her pianist' (togetherness without protection), 'Two officers guarded the entrance' (preventing threats), and 'The supply trucks travelled in convoy' (group travel for safety).

escort ↗accompany ↗guard ↗convoy ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • under escort
  • with an escort
  • without an escort
  • act as an escort
  • provide an escort
  • request an escort

Prepositions

Etymology

ItalianFrenchEnglish

The word 'escort' entered English in the late 1500s from French 'escorte', which came from Italian 'scorta'. The Italian word originally meant 'a guide' or 'someone who conducts others safely', and it came from the verb 'scorgere' meaning 'to guide' or 'to perceive'. The sense of a protective companion or vehicle developed naturally from the idea of guiding someone through dangerous territory.