accouterment

American  

[uh-koo-ter-muhnt, -truh-] / əˈku tər mənt, -trə- /

especially British, accoutrement

noun

1. a clothing accessory or an accessory piece of equipment: You will need sleeping bags and other accouterments for camping.

   These nautical cufflinks are the perfect accouterment to any boating enthusiast's dress shirt.

   You will need sleeping bags and other accouterments for camping.

2. a piece of equipment carried by a soldier, excluding weapons and clothing.

3. a characteristic feature, object, or sign associated with a particular role, situation, etc: Its members all have children, husbands, and the other accouterments of middle-class, American suburban living.

   I take the snob to be someone with an exaggerated respect for wealth and all the other accouterments of status.

   Its members all have children, husbands, and the other accouterments of middle-class, American suburban living.

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Etymology

Origin of accouterment

First recorded in 1540–50; from Middle French accou(s)trement; accouter, -ment

Example Sentences

But I was in no hurry to shed this latest accouterment of age.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 18, 2025

You can snack on them solo, but these crackers would also make a great accouterment for cheese platters or rich and festive dips.

From Salon • Nov. 25, 2022

For food, its charcuterie vending machine dispenses cheeses, meats and other accouterment.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 9, 2022

In 1492, Columbus gave hawk’s bells, or falconry accouterment, to some Indigenous Americans.

From New York Times • Jun. 23, 2022

There was something about the man, his flaming accouterment, specially about the gesture—the theatric peering from beneath gauntleted hand—which somehow stirred Charles-Norton with a sense of past experience.

From The Trimming of Goosie by Hopper, James

Related Words

• accessory
• accoutrement
• trappings