Cord vs. Chord: What’s the Difference?

The words cord and chord are pronounced exactly the same and only differ by a single letter. However, they have completely different meanings.

In this article, we will break down the most common meanings of cord and chord, briefly explain how they have a shared history, provide a quick tip to remember the difference between them, and provide examples that show how we typically use cord and chord in sentences. 

When to use cord or chord

The word cord often refers to a rope or string made of twisted, braided, or woven strands. For example, a bungee cord is a sturdy, elastic rope used to secure objects or used in the sport of bungee jumping. The word cord is also commonly used to refer to insulated cables used by electronics. For example, the cable that connects computers and many other electronics to electrical outlets is often called a power cord. Finally, cord is often used in anatomy to refer to parts of the body that resemble cords, such as the spinal cord.

Here are examples of these major senses:

• The acrobats were suspended high in the air by thin cords tied to the ceiling. 
• I stopped by the store to pick up an HDMI cord for my new TV. 
• She strained her vocal cords when she belted out those high notes. 

The word chord is most often used as a musical term to refer to three or more notes being played simultaneously. Chord is also often used to mean “a feeling,” especially in the phrase strike a chord, which refers to triggering an emotional response in someone and alludes to the musical sense of chord. Finally, chord is sometimes used in anatomy to refer to parts of the body that resemble cords.

Here are examples of these main uses:

• She can play a few chords on the guitar. 
• The sad, moving performance really struck a chord with the audience. 
• Be careful lifting that heavy box so you don’t hurt your spinal chord.

The words cord and chord both come through the Latin chorda from the Greek word chordḗ, meaning “gut.” In ancient Greece, the strings of musical instruments were made out of animal gut. The word cord is older and has been used since the 1300s to generally refer to strings and ropes. Chord emerged in the 1500s as an alternate spelling of cord that was closer to the Latin and Greek spelling. Over time, chord gained its specialized senses. 

To keep cord and chord straight, remember that the chord with an h is most often something you hear or is a harmony of musical notes.  

Examples of cord and chord used in a sentence

The following examples show how we typically use cord and chord in sentences:

• The wheels were reinforced with steel cords.
• I only know how to play a few chords on the piano. 
• His computer is plugged into that extension cord over there. 
• The prime minister isn’t an eloquent speaker, but his passionate speeches always strike a chord with the public. 
• The amp’s power cord wasn’t plugged in, so the audience didn’t hear the guitar player’s awesome power chord.