accord
uh-KORD
/əˈkɔːrd/
An official agreement or treaty; (as a verb) to give or grant someone power, status, or recognition.
Accord is more formal than 'agreement' and often refers to international treaties or high-level settlements.
The story behind the word. From the Latin 'ad-' (to) and 'cor' (heart). To be in accord is to bring hearts together in agreement. It shares a root with 'cordial' (hearty/friendly) and 'discord' (hearts apart).
Word relationships
- truce: An accord is a comprehensive agreement; a truce is merely a temporary stop to fighting.
- discord: Discord is a lack of agreement or harmony, literally 'hearts apart'.
Commonly confused with
- concord: Concord is the state of agreement itself; accord is often the formal document or act of granting something.
Word family
- accordance (noun): Conformity or agreement.
- according (adjective): As stated by or in proportion to.
Collocations
- peace accord
- reach an accord
- of one's own accord
Idioms & expressions
- of one's own accord
- in accord with
Example sentences
- "The Paris Accord is a legally binding international treaty on climate change." Global Policy
- "The visiting dignitary was accorded all the honors usually reserved for a head of state." Formal Recognition
Memory hook
When you reach an accord, your hearts are in 'chord' (harmony). Hearts in harmony.
When not to use
Avoid using in very casual settings (e.g., 'we have an accord on what to eat for dinner').
Fun facts
- The 'Honda Accord' was named to reflect the manufacturer's desire for 'accord and harmony between people, society and the automobile'.
Related words
Also appears in
- Communication → Agreements & Affirmations
- Conflict → Compromise & Concession
- Conflict → Alliances & Coalitions
- Law → International Law & Treaties
- Environmental Policy & Sustainability Economics → Climate Policy & International Agreements
- Military Science & Warfare → Peace, Ceasefire & Demobilization
- Environmental Policy & Sustainability Economics → International Environmental Accords
- Fashion, Clothing & Grooming → Fragrances & Perfumery
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