chord
B2Formal and technical in music/mathematics; figurative in emotional contexts.
Definition
Meaning
Three or more musical notes played simultaneously.
A straight line segment joining two points on a curve; a feeling or emotion that resonates with someone.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
In music, a chord is a harmonic set of pitches. In geometry, it is a line segment. Figuratively, it refers to something that evokes an emotional response. Do not confuse with 'cord' (string/rope).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. Spelling and pronunciation are identical. The figurative use ('strike a chord') is equally common.
Connotations
Identical in both varieties.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American English in musical contexts due to cultural prevalence of guitar/piano pedagogy.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
strike a chord with [someone]play a [type] chord on [instrument]the chord [of a circle] joins [point A] and [point B]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “strike a chord”
- “touch a chord”
- “strike the right chord”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Figurative use possible: 'The marketing campaign struck a chord with consumers.'
Academic
Common in musicology and mathematics papers.
Everyday
Common in figurative expressions and basic musical discussion.
Technical
Precise definitions in music theory (e.g., 'dominant seventh chord') and geometry.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The guitarist will chord the progression beautifully.
- Can you chord this section for the choir?
American English
- She chorded the hymn on the piano.
- He's learning to chord on the ukulele.
adverb
British English
- This is not a standardly chorded piece. (rare)
American English
- The song was chorded simply. (rare)
adjective
British English
- The chord structure is complex.
- He provided a chord analysis.
American English
- It's a chord chart for beginners.
- The chord progression is classic blues.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- He played a chord on the guitar.
- The song has easy chords.
- Can you show me the C major chord?
- Her story struck a chord with me.
- The chord progression creates a melancholic mood.
- The politician's speech failed to strike a chord with younger voters.
- The composer's use of extended chords defies traditional harmonic analysis.
- The report's findings struck a dissonant chord with the government's official narrative.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
A CHORD needs a C(H)oir of notes ORDered together. Remember the 'h' to distinguish from 'cord'.
Conceptual Metaphor
EMOTIONAL RESPONSE IS A VIBRATING STRING (e.g., 'strike a chord').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- False friend: Russian 'хорд' is a highly technical geometry term, rarely used. The common musical term is 'аккорд'.
- Confusion with 'cord' (шнур).
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling as 'cord'.
- Using 'chord' to refer to a single note.
- Incorrectly saying 'hit a chord' instead of 'strike a chord'.
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'chord' correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Chord' relates to music/geometry/emotion. 'Cord' is a length of string, rope, or an anatomical structure like the vocal cords.
Yes, in music, it means to play chords, especially on a guitar or piano (e.g., 'She chorded along to the song').
No, it can be neutral or negative. You can 'strike a chord of fear' or 'strike a dissonant chord'.
Yes, a diameter is a special chord that passes through the centre of a circle.
Explore