accord
C1Formal to Neutral. Common in legal, diplomatic, academic, and business contexts; less common in casual conversation.
Definition
Meaning
Agreement or harmony between people, groups, or ideas; a formal pact or treaty. As a verb, to give or grant something, or to be in agreement.
Can refer to spontaneous or voluntary agreement, or the act of bestowing something (e.g., respect, permission). In music, a chord or harmonious combination of notes.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often implies a conscious decision to align or grant. The noun is often used in the set phrase "of one's own accord" meaning voluntarily. The verb can be transitive (accord someone respect) or intransitive (their stories accord).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is very similar. The phrase "with one accord" (unanimously) is slightly more common in older or liturgical UK texts. The spelling is identical.
Connotations
Neutral in both. Slightly more formal/political connotation in noun use (e.g., peace accord).
Frequency
Comparably frequent in formal registers in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
NP accord NP to NP (They accorded him a hero's welcome)NP accord with NP (His actions did not accord with his words)NP be in accord with NP (The decision is in accord with company policy)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “of one's own accord (voluntarily)”
- “with one accord (unanimously)”
- “in accord with (in agreement with)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Negotiating a new trade accord between the companies.
Academic
The researcher's findings are in accord with established theory.
Everyday
She left the meeting of her own accord.
Technical
The experimental data must accord with the model's predictions.
Examples
By Part of Speech
noun
British English
- The Paris climate accord set ambitious targets.
- They acted in perfect accord.
American English
- The two nations signed a historic peace accord.
- He resigned of his own accord.
verb
British English
- The committee accorded the proposal the highest priority.
- The witness's statement did not accord with the CCTV footage.
American English
- The university accorded her an honorary degree.
- Their views accord on most major issues.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The two friends are always in accord.
- She helped me of her own accord.
- The new evidence does not accord with the original testimony.
- The countries reached a bilateral accord on fishing rights.
- The measures were introduced in accord with EU regulations.
- He was accorded a status usually reserved for senior diplomats.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of an ACCORDion - the instrument requires the bellows and buttons to be in ACCORD (agreement) to produce a harmonious sound.
Conceptual Metaphor
AGREEMENT IS HARMONY (be in tune), AGREEMENT IS PROXIMITY (be in accord with), GIVING IS MOVING TOWARDS (accord respect).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не путать с "аккорд" (музыкальный) – хотя это этимологически родственно, в английском "accord" как существительное редко означает аккорд (обычно используется "chord").
- "Of one's own accord" не переводится дословно как "своего собственного согласия", а означает "по собственной воле, добровольно".
- Глагол "to accord" часто требует косвенного дополнения (accord someone something), что может быть непривычно.
Common Mistakes
- Using "accord to" instead of "accord with" (His statement accords to the facts -> INCORRECT; with -> CORRECT).
- Using the noun in overly casual contexts where "agreement" is better.
- Confusing "accord" (noun/verb) with "accordance" (noun, usually in "in accordance with").
Practice
Quiz
What does the phrase 'of his own accord' imply?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, particularly as a noun meaning a formal agreement (e.g., peace accord) or in set phrases like 'in accord with'. The verb can be used in neutral contexts.
'Accord' is more formal and often implies a deliberate, harmonious agreement, sometimes written/treaty-like. 'Agreement' is the general, neutral term for any instance of agreeing.
Two main patterns: 1) To give/grant (accord someone respect/privileges). 2) To agree or be consistent (His actions accord with his principles).
'Accord' is the state of agreement or the act of granting. 'Accordance' is almost exclusively used in the fixed phrase 'in accordance with', meaning in conformity or compliance with rules/laws.
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