companion
gb/kəmpˈænjən/ us/kəmpˈænjən/
B1
English
~ 6900
társ, útitárs, társállat, házi kedvenc, kísérőanyag, kiegészítő, párdarab, gondozó, személyi segítő, társalkodó, kísérő égitest, kísérőobjektum, elkísér, társaságot nyújt, végigkísér
NOUN
B1
1
Usage pattern:
[someone]'s companion; a companion on [a trip]
On long hikes, a good companion makes the journey feel much shorter.
Hosszú túrákon egy jó társ mellett sokkal rövidebbnek tűnik az út.
She has been my closest companion since we met at university.
Amióta az egyetemen megismerkedtünk, ő a legközelebbi társam.
He travels with a small dog as his constant companion.
After his wife died, he found a new companion through a local social club.
Each student was assigned a companion for the exchange trip.
Learner examples
I need a travel companion for my trip to Japan.
Útitársra van szükségem a japán utamhoz.
My brother is my best companion when I feel sad.
A bátyám a legjobb társam, amikor szomorú vagyok.
She was his only companion on the long train ride.
The old man lives alone, with only his cat as a companion.
Children often look for a companion to play with.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "companion" too often where "friend" is more natural in everyday speech. "Companion" sounds slightly more formal or literary, and is common in writing or careful speech. Also, do not confuse "companion" (a person) with "company" (the state of being with others or a business).
Meaning
person you spend time with
Collocations
close companion
|trusted companion
|travel companion
|childhood companion
|lifelong companion
|constant companion
Synonyms
friend (More common and casual; does not always suggest spending as much regular time together as 'companion' can.)
|
partner (Often suggests a romantic or life partner, or someone you share a project with; 'companion' is broader.)
Antonyms
stranger (Someone you do not know or spend time with is the opposite of a familiar companion.)
|
enemy (An enemy is someone you are against, rather than someone who keeps you company.)
Themes
relationships
|daily life
|travel
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A person who is often with you, for friendship, support, or when you travel.
A person who spends a lot of time with someone, often as a friend, partner, or fellow traveler.
NOUN
B2
2
társállat
B2
házi kedvenc
A2
Usage pattern:
a companion animal for [someone]
For many older adults, a companion animal can reduce feelings of loneliness.
Sok idősebb ember számára egy társállat enyhítheti a magány érzését.
Her dog is more than a pet; he is a true companion.
A kutyája több mint házi kedvenc; igazi társ.
Some landlords allow companion animals even in buildings that normally ban pets.
The shelter helps match people with suitable feline companions.
Companion animals are now recognized as important for mental health.
Learner examples
Her dog is her daily companion and makes her feel safe.
A kutyája a mindennapi társa, és biztonságban érzi magát mellette.
Many people keep a cat as a quiet companion at home.
Sokan tartanak otthon macskát csendes társként.
A companion animal can help a child feel less lonely.
The man lives alone but has two dogs as companions.
The program trains dogs to be good companions for sick people.
Common mistake:
Learners may think "companion animal" is just a fancy word for any pet. In some contexts it is a legal or technical term used in housing, healthcare, or animal-welfare discussions, stressing the animal's role in emotional support.
Meaning
pet kept mainly for company
Collocations
companion animal
|feline companion
|canine companion
|loyal companion
|pet and companion
Synonyms
pet (More general and common; "companion" highlights the emotional bond and role of the animal.)
Antonyms
livestock (Livestock are animals kept for work or food, not mainly for companionship.)
Themes
animals
|home
|relationships
|emotions
|daily_life
Definition
An animal, usually a pet like a dog or cat, that lives with a person mainly to give them company and comfort.
A domesticated animal, such as a dog or cat, that is kept mainly for company and emotional support rather than for work or food.
NOUN
B2
3
Usage pattern:
a companion to [something]
The documentary comes with a companion book that includes interviews and photos.
A dokumentumfilmhez kísérőkönyv is tartozik, amely interjúkat és fényképeket tartalmaz.
We launched a companion app to work with the main website.
Elindítottunk egy kísérőalkalmazást, amely a fő weboldallal működik együtt.
This short film is a companion piece to the director's earlier work.
The museum published a companion guide to the exhibition.
Her new novel can be read alone but also serves as a companion to her previous book.
Learner examples
The TV show has a companion website with extra videos.
A tévéműsornak van egy kapcsolódó weboldala extra videókkal.
He bought the companion volume to finish the story.
Megvette a hozzá tartozó kötetet, hogy befejezze a történetet.
You can download a free companion app for this game.
This painting is a companion piece to the one in the next room.
The teacher gave us a companion guide to help with the textbook.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think "companion" here means a person, but in this sense it is a thing (like a book or app) that goes with another thing.
Meaning
thing that goes with another
Collocations
companion volume
|companion app
|companion piece
|companion guide
|companion website
Synonyms
counterpart (Suggests something that has a matching role; "companion" focuses more on being used together or as a partner piece.)
|
supplement (Highlights adding extra information; "companion" often suggests a more equal or parallel work.)
Antonyms
standalone (Describes something that is complete by itself and not meant to be used with another item.)
Themes
media
|technology
|arts
|core_vocabulary
|communication
Definition
A thing that is made to be used together with another thing, like a second book, app, or film that goes with the first one.
Something, such as a book, app, or piece of art, that is designed to go with or complement another specific item.
NOUN
C1
4
Usage pattern:
[someone] works as a companion for [someone]
She works as a companion for an elderly woman who lives alone.
Egy egyedül élő idős nő gondozójaként dolgozik.
The agency provides trained companions to support people with dementia.
Az ügynökség képzett gondozókat biztosít a demenciával élők támogatására.
In the novel, the young governess is hired as both teacher and companion to the child.
They arranged for a live-in companion after his surgery.
The job description calls for a companion to assist with shopping and light housework.
Learner examples
He was hired as a companion for the old man.
Az idős férfi mellé gondozónak vették fel.
My grandmother has a companion who visits her every afternoon.
A nagymamámnak van egy segítője, aki minden délután meglátogatja.
The family found a kind companion to stay with their mother.
A live-in companion cooks, cleans, and talks with the patient.
The company trains people to be companions for sick clients.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this with a romantic partner. In job ads or care contexts, a "companion" is usually a professional role, not a romantic one.
Meaning
paid person who keeps someone company
Collocations
paid companion
|live-in companion
|elderly companion
|lady's companion
|social companion
Synonyms
caregiver (Focuses more on physical care and medical help; "companion" highlights company and social support.)
|
attendant (More formal; often used in medical or service contexts and may sound less personal than "companion".)
Antonyms
carer-free (Not a direct lexical antonym, but describes someone who does not require a companion or caregiver.)
Themes
work
|health
|caregiving
|daily_life
Definition
A person who is paid to be with someone, often an old or sick person, to give them company and help them with daily life.
A person who is employed to spend time with someone, especially an elderly or disabled person, and often to help with daily activities.
NOUN
C2
TECHNICAL
5
Usage pattern:
a companion [star/galaxy/planet] to [another body]
Astronomers detected a faint companion star orbiting the red giant.
A csillagászok egy halvány kísérőcsillagot észleltek, amely a vörös óriás körül kering.
The planet's small companion moon was discovered only recently.
A bolygó kis kísérőholdját csak nemrég fedezték fel.
The Milky Way has a number of dwarf companion galaxies.
In this binary system, the black hole's stellar companion is gradually losing mass.
A hidden companion object may explain the unusual orbit of the comet.
Learner examples
The bright star has a small companion star next to it.
A fényes csillagnak van egy kis kísérőcsillaga.
Earth has one companion body: the Moon.
A Földnek egy kísérő égiteste van: a Hold.
Scientists found a new planet that is a companion to the big gas giant.
The galaxy has many small companion galaxies around it.
In a binary system, each star is a companion to the other.
Common mistake:
Learners may assume "companion" here has an emotional meaning. In astronomy, it only describes a physical relationship between objects caused by gravity.
Meaning
astronomical body paired with another
Collocations
companion star
|stellar companion
|binary companion
|white dwarf companion
|companion galaxy
Synonyms
secondary (Technical term for the less massive member in a system; does not by itself imply companionship in non-technical use.)
Antonyms
primary (In a binary system, the main body; contrasted with its companion body.)
Themes
science
|space
Definition
In space science, a star, planet, or galaxy that moves together with another one because of gravity.
In astronomy, a star, planet, or galaxy that is gravitationally bound to and associated with another specific celestial body.
VERB
C2
LITERARY
6
Usage pattern:
to companion [someone]
Volunteers companion the patients during their final weeks.
Önkéntesek kísérik a betegeket életük utolsó heteiben.
A faithful dog companioned him through the darkest years of his life.
Egy hűséges kutya volt mellette élete legsötétebb éveiben.
Nurses companion the children as they move between hospital wards.
She spent the year companioning her father on his travels.
In the story, a mysterious stranger companions the hero across the desert.
Learner examples
The nurse companioned the old man during the long night.
Az ápoló társaságot nyújtott az idős férfinak a hosszú éjszaka alatt.
Volunteers companion the lonely people in the care home.
Önkéntesek nyújtanak társaságot a magányos embereknek az idősek otthonában.
Her dog companioned her on every walk.
He companioned his friend through months of hospital visits.
The guide companioned the tourists through the forest.
Common mistake:
Learners may try to use "companion" as a verb in everyday speech (e.g., "Can you companion me to the store?"). This sounds unnatural; use "accompany" or "come with" instead. The verb "companion" is rare and mostly literary.
Meaning
to keep someone company
Collocations
companioned by
|companion the sick
|faithfully companion
Synonyms
accompany (Common and neutral; "companion" as a verb is rare and sounds literary or old-fashioned.)
|
escort (Suggests guiding or protecting someone; "companion" focuses more on being with them.)
Antonyms
abandon (To leave someone alone, the opposite of staying with them as a companion.)
Themes
relationships
|literature
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To be with someone, often for a long time, to give them company or help.
To stay with or travel with someone in order to give them company or support.
Grammar
Dictionary form
companion
IPA
GB/kəmpˈænjən/
US/kəmpˈænjən/
Syllables & stress
com - pan - ion (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (pan)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: companion
- Plural: companions
Verb
- Base: companion
- 3rd Person Singular: companions
- Present Participle: companioning
- Past: companioned
Word family
Forms
companions
noun
companioning
verb
companioned
verb
Core family
Related words
accompaniment
noun B2
companionable
adjective
Negative and opposite forms
unaccompanied
adjective
Advanced or less common
accompanist
noun
Expressions
companion animal
1/kəmpˈænjən ˈænəməl/
fixed phrase
pet kept mainly for company
A pet, like a dog or cat, that lives with a person mainly to give them company and emotional support.
Examples
- Many hospitals now allow patients to have a companion animal during long stays.
- The building has a strict no-pets rule, but registered companion animals are permitted.
- For some veterans, a companion animal plays a key role in recovery.
companion app
1/kəmpˈænjən ˈæp/
fixed phrase
supporting app for another product
An app that is made to work together with another product, like a game, TV show, or device.
Examples
- The fitness tracker comes with a companion app that shows your daily stats.
- You can use the companion app to control the camera from your phone.
- We released a free companion app to help students practice vocabulary.
companion guide
1/kəmpˈænjən ɡˈaɪd/
fixed phrase
guide used with another resource
A book or document that helps you use or understand another book, show, course, or place.
Examples
- The museum offers a free companion guide in several languages.
- We created a companion guide for parents to go with the online course.
- This companion guide explains the historical background to the novel.
companion piece
1/kəmpˈænjən pˈis/
fixed phrase
artwork made to go with another
A work of art, music, or film that is made to go together with another work.
Examples
- This short story is a companion piece to the author's earlier novel.
- The painting was designed as a companion piece to the sculpture in the main hall.
- The director released a documentary as a companion piece to the feature film.
companion planting
1/kəmpˈænjən plˈæntɪŋ/
fixed phrase
technical
growing helpful plants together
A way of gardening where you grow different plants close together because they help each other grow or stop pests.
Examples
- Companion planting can reduce the need for chemical pesticides.
- She uses companion planting, putting basil next to tomatoes to improve flavor and deter insects.
- Many gardening books include charts to help you plan companion planting.
companion volume
1/kəmpˈænjən vˈɑljum/
fixed phrase
formal
book that goes with another book
A book that goes together with another book, often as a second part or extra help.
Examples
- This dictionary has a companion volume that focuses on phrasal verbs.
- The author later published a companion volume of essays.
- Teachers often use the companion volume for extra classroom activities.
companion website
1/kəmpˈænjən wˈɛbsˌaɪt/
fixed phrase
website that supports another product
A website that gives extra information or tools for a TV show, book, course, or other product.
Examples
- The textbook has a companion website with videos and quizzes.
- You can download the worksheets from the companion website.
- The documentary's companion website includes interviews and background articles.
lady's companion
1/lˈeɪdiz kəmpˈænjən/
fixed phrase
literary
woman paid to accompany another woman
In older times, a woman who was paid to live with another woman, go out with her, and give her company.
Examples
- In many Victorian novels, the heroine works as a lady's companion.
- She was hired as a lady's companion to an elderly widow.
- The job of a lady's companion was to provide company, not to do hard housework.
lifelong companion
1/lˈaɪflˈɔŋ kəmpˈænjən/
fixed phrase
person or animal with you for life
A person or animal who is with someone for almost all of their life.
Examples
- She described her husband as her lifelong companion.
- The dog had been his loyal, lifelong companion.
- Books have been my lifelong companions through good and bad times.
travel companion
1/tɹˈævəl kəmpˈænjən/
fixed phrase
person who travels with you
A person who goes on a trip with you.
Examples
- I'm looking for a travel companion to share costs on a trip around Europe.
- A good travel companion can make even a simple journey unforgettable.
- She posted an ad online to find a female travel companion.
constant companion
1/kˈɑnstənt kəmpˈænjən/
fixed phrase
Someone always with another person
A person or thing that is always with someone.
Examples
- Her dog was her constant companion for over a decade.
- Pain became his constant companion after the accident.
- Loneliness had been his constant companion since moving away.
- Her phone is her constant companion wherever she goes.
- During that lonely year, anxiety was his constant companion.