companion

companion — noun

1. a person who spends time with you, shares your activities or experiences, or tra

1.名詞B2
釋義

a person who spends time with you, shares your activities or experiences, or travels with you, so that you are not alone

例句

Aiko and her travel companion visited twelve countries during their year abroad.

collocation: travel companion

The elderly woman's constant companion was a small white dog named Biscuit.

collocation: constant companion

同義詞
  • friend

    implies a stronger emotional bond and personal affection, not just shared activity

  • partner

    used for someone you do a specific activity with, such as a dance partner or business partner

  • associate

    more formal and less personal, usually in a work or professional context

  • comrade

    suggests a shared difficult experience or a political/military connection, slightly old-fashioned

反義詞

用法筆記

Companion suggests shared activity rather than emotional closeness; for a deeper personal bond, use 'friend'.

常見錯誤

❌She is my best companion.
✅She is my best friend.
💡'Companion' is not used with 'best' to describe a close personal relationship; 'friend' is the right word for emotional closeness.

2. in earlier centuries, a woman employed by a family to stay in their home, look a

2.名詞
釋義

in earlier centuries, a woman employed by a family to stay in their home, look after an older or sick person, and offer them friendship and help

例句

In Victorian times, wealthy families often employed a paid companion for their elderly relatives.

historical register: employed + paid companion

The old widow's companion read to her every afternoon and helped with her letters.

同義詞
  • caregiver

    modern term for someone paid to help an elderly or ill person; less focused on providing friendship

  • attendant

    focuses on service and practical help rather than companionship

  • chaperone

    specifically someone who accompanies a young unmarried woman in social situations, more restricted in meaning

用法筆記

This historical sense is now old-fashioned; in modern English, 'carer' or 'caregiver' is more common for paid help.

3. one of two things that match or are designed to be used together as a pair

3.名詞
釋義

one of two things that match or are designed to be used together as a pair

例句

The shop assistant found the companion piece to the broken vase in the back room.

collocation: companion piece

This rich red wine is the perfect companion to roast lamb dishes.

companion to [food/dish]

同義詞
  • match

    more common in everyday speech; 'this sock is the match of that one'

  • counterpart

    more formal, used for things that have a complementary role rather than identical appearance

  • pair

    refers to the set of two items rather than one item in relation to the other

用法筆記

Often used in the phrase 'companion piece' for art, furniture, or collectibles that form a matching set.

4. a reference book whose title explains that it organises helpful facts, suggestio

4.名詞
釋義

a reference book whose title explains that it organises helpful facts, suggestions, or directions on one specific topic

例句

'The Gardener's Companion' is a popular reference book with simple tips for beginners.

in book title: noun + 's Companion

She bought 'A Companion to Victorian Literature' for her university course.

in book title: Companion to [subject]

同義詞
  • guide

    more general term for a book that gives instructions or information

  • handbook

    focuses on practical how-to information rather than background knowledge

  • manual

    emphasises step-by-step instructions for using or doing something

用法筆記

Almost always appears as part of a book title. 'A Companion to...' is a standard format for academic reference books.

常見錯誤

❌I bought a companion about cooking.
✅I bought a cooking companion.
💡'Companion' in this sense is not used alone with 'about'; it typically appears as part of a title or with an 'of/to' phrase.

companion — verb