concord: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, Technical
Quick answer
What does “concord” mean?
A formal agreement or harmony between people, groups, or things.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A formal agreement or harmony between people, groups, or things; a state of peace and agreement.
In grammar, the agreement or correspondence between words in gender, number, case, person, or other grammatical category. In music, a combination of tones that is harmonious. In law, a private agreement settling a dispute without legal action.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The general sense of 'harmony/agreement' is slightly more literary/archaic in both, but still valid. The grammatical term 'concord' is used in British linguistic and educational contexts; American English often prefers 'agreement' for the same grammatical concept.
Connotations
In British English, 'concord' can have historical/legal connotations (e.g., a formal treaty). In American English, it's strongly associated with the town in Massachusetts (a key historical site) and with formal, literary use.
Frequency
Overall low frequency in both. Slightly higher chance of being encountered in British academic writing (linguistics) than in American.
Grammar
How to Use “concord” in a Sentence
in concord with [someone/something]concord between [X] and [Y]concord on [a matter]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “concord” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- (Rare/Obsolete) The proposal seeks to concord the interests of all stakeholders.
American English
- (Not in use) The verb form is essentially obsolete.
adverb
British English
- (None)
American English
- (None)
adjective
British English
- (Not standard) No common adjectival use.
American English
- (Not standard) No common adjectival use.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might be used in high-level negotiations: 'After lengthy talks, the two CEOs reached a concord on future collaboration.'
Academic
Common in linguistics for grammatical agreement: 'The paper examines subject-verb concord in learner English.' Also in history/political science for treaties: 'The Concord of Worms (1122).'
Everyday
Very rare. Would sound formal or old-fashioned: 'They lived in perfect concord for decades.'
Technical
Specific in linguistics (grammatical concord) and music (a harmonious chord).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “concord”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “concord”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “concord”
- Using 'concord' in casual conversation where 'agreement' or 'harmony' would be more natural.
- Misspelling as 'concorde' (which is a proper noun, e.g., the aircraft).
- Incorrect pronunciation: stressing the second syllable (con-CORD).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a formal, literary, or technical word. In everyday speech, 'agreement' or 'harmony' is much more common.
'Concord' is the general English word. 'Concorde' (often capitalised) refers specifically to the Anglo-French supersonic passenger aircraft.
The core meaning is the same, but the grammatical sense is more familiar in UK academic/language-teaching contexts. Americans are more likely to associate it with the town of Concord, Massachusetts.
Historically, yes, but it is now obsolete. The modern verb related to 'concord' is 'to concord' is not used; instead, we use phrases like 'to be in concord with' or 'to agree with'.
A formal agreement or harmony between people, groups, or things.
Concord is usually formal, technical in register.
Concord: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkɒŋkɔːd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkɑːnkɔːrd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A concord of sweet sounds (archaic/musical)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'CONCERT' where musicians are in harmony; CONCORD is a state where people or things are in harmony.
Conceptual Metaphor
AGREEMENT IS HARMONY (e.g., 'living in concord'); AGREEMENT IS A BINDING STRUCTURE (e.g., 'formal concord').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'concord' LEAST likely to be used appropriately?