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 recommendation has increased the search for “iPods” on EBay more than 1,200 times an hour globally between January and October 2025, according to the company.

From Los Angeles Times

The cost of the bonds and financing for the new bonds is estimated at nearly $383 million, according to district documents.

From Los Angeles Times

Thin silver inventories in London have “created conditions for squeezes,” according to a Goldman Sachs report.

From The Wall Street Journal

U.S. tech firms, with tens of billions of dollars available for computing power, maintain a slight edge over Chinese rivals, according to Epoch AI.

From The Wall Street Journal

Only some of the directors were aware that Wasserman was considering a sale of his company, which he announced days later, according to people close to the situation.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• affirm
• agree
• conform
• correspond