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keep company

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keep company

 (with someone)

1. Lit. to spend much time with someone; to associate with or consort with someone. Bill has been keeping company with Ann for three months. Bob has been keeping company with a tough-looking bunch of boys.

2. Fig. to be courting someone. Mary and Bill are keeping company. I heard that Joe is keeping company with Jim Brown's daughter.

See also: company, keep

keep someone company

to sit or stay with someone, especially someone who is lonely. I kept my uncle company for a few hours. He was very grateful for someone to keep him company. He gets very lonely.

See also: company, keep

keep somebody company

to stay with someone so they are not alone I kept him company while he was waiting for the bus.

See also: company, keep

keep company (with somebody)

(slightly formal)

1. to be connected with someone There are rumors that the singer keeps company with some very dangerous criminals.

2. to spend time together in a romantic relationship They've been keeping company for a year and plan to marry in the spring.

Usage notes: often used in this sense for a humorous effect as an old-fashioned expression for beginning a relationship with the intention of marriage

See also: company, keep

keep company

1. Also, keep company with. Associate with; also, carry on a courtship. For example, He keeps company with a wild bunch, or Jack and Françoise kept company for two years before they married. [Mid-1500s]

2. keep someone company. Accompany or remain with someone, as in Mary kept Mother company while she shopped, or Do you want me to stay and keep you company? This term was originally put as bear someone company. [c. 1300]

See also: company, keep

keep company

1. To carry on a courtship: a couple who kept company but never married.

2. To socialize or associate: keeps company with some tough thugs.

See also: company, keep

keep (someone) company

To accompany or remain with.

See also: company, keep