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accord

uh-KORD /əˈkɔːrd/

nounverbB2GRESATTOEFL

formalpoliticalliterary

An official agreement or treaty; to give or grant someone power, status, or recognition; to be consistent with.

Accord implies a deep, harmonious agreement, often between nations or organizations. It can also describe things that are in perfect alignment with each other.

The story behind the word. Accord comes from the Vulgar Latin 'accordare', which combines 'ad-' (to) and 'cor' (heart). Literally, it means 'to bring heart to heart'. When two nations sign an accord, they are metaphorically bringing their hearts into alignment.

Word relationships

treaty: A treaty is a formal, written agreement, while an accord can be a broader state of harmony or agreement.
harmony: Harmony is a general state of peaceful agreement, while accord is often a specific, formalized agreement.

discord: Discord is a lack of agreement or harmony, the direct opposite of accord.
conflict: Conflict is active disagreement or fighting, whereas accord is peace and agreement.

Commonly confused with

record: Record is a written account of facts, while accord is an agreement or state of harmony.

Word family

accordance (noun): Agreement or conformity.
accordingly (adverb): In a way that is appropriate to the circumstances.

Collocations

peace accord
in accord with
of one's own accord

Idioms & expressions

of one's own accord (voluntarily, without being asked)

Example sentences

"The two warring nations signed a historic peace accord in Geneva yesterday." An international peace treaty.
"His generous actions were in perfect accord with the values he preached." Describing how actions match stated beliefs.

Memory hook

Think of a musical 'chord'. When notes are played together in harmony, they form a beautiful chord (accord). Accord = Heart to heart harmony.

When not to use

Do not use accord for a simple, informal agreement between individuals, like agreeing on a movie.

Fun facts

The Honda Accord was named to reflect the manufacturer's desire for 'harmony between society, people, and the automobile'.

Explore more words

entente, pact, amicable, rapprochement, amity, alignment