accord

American  

[uh-kawrd] / əˈkɔrd /

verb (used without object)

1. to be in agreement or harmony; agree.

   Synonyms:

   concur, harmonize

   Antonyms:

   conflict

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verb (used with object)

1. to make agree or correspond; adapt.

   Synonyms:

   reconcile

2. to grant; bestow.

   to accord due praise.

   Antonyms:

   withdraw, deny, withhold

3. Archaic. to settle; reconcile.

noun

1. proper relationship or proportion; harmony.

2. a harmonious union of sounds, colors, etc.

3. consent or concurrence of opinions or wills; agreement.

4. an international agreement; settlement of questions outstanding among nations.

idioms

1. of one's own accord, without being asked or told; voluntarily.

   We did the extra work of our own accord.

accord British  

/ əˈkɔːd /

noun

1. agreement; conformity; accordance (esp in the phrase in accord with )

2. consent or concurrence of opinion

3. unanimously

4. pleasing relationship between sounds, colours, etc; harmony

5. a settlement of differences, as between nations; compromise

6. voluntarily

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verb

1. to be or cause to be in harmony or agreement

2. (tr) to grant; bestow

accord More Idioms  

1. see of one's own accord.

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Usage

What does accord mean? To accord is to agree or be in harmony with someone or something.Accord is usually used formally to mean to work together. It is often used in official decrees, analysis of public figures, and governmental affairs.Related to this, an accord is an agreement. In particular when nations agree to something, we often say they have reached an accord, as with the Paris Climate Accords.To accord can also mean to grant or bestow. Oftentimes an item that is accorded is something that will strengthen a relationship or agreement, as with according someone praise or forgiveness.Example: Failure to reach an accord will mean the battle will continue for years to come.

Related Words

See correspond.

Other Word Forms

• accordable adjective
• accorder noun
• nonaccord noun
• preaccord noun
• unaccordable adjective
• unaccorded adjective
• well-accorded adjective

Etymology

Origin of accord

First recorded in 1100–50; Middle English a(c)corden, late Old English acordan, from Old French acorder, from Vulgar Latin accordāre (unrecorded), from Latin ac- ac- + cor (stem cord- ) “heart” ( cordial ); heart

Example Sentences

The European Union will provisionally apply its trade agreement with South American countries from May 1, the European Commission said as lawmakers in the bloc are still waiting to ratify the accord.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 23, 2026

Luke Wright has stepped down as selector of his own accord and the advertisement to replace his £115k-a-year role is in the public domain.

From BBC • Mar. 20, 2026

He was alluding to the 1992 accord that ended the war between a US-backed right-wing government and leftist guerrillas supported by Cuba.

From Barron's • Mar. 5, 2026

As for Saxon’s claims about being told to sleep in the bare concrete dwelling, Cherkasky insisted that the worker had done so of his own accord.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 3, 2026

The mangle turned of its own accord in a corner, wringing out what looked like one of Mr. Weasley’s vests.

From "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" by J.K. Rowling

Related Words

• affirm
• agree
• conform
• correspond