accord

[uh-kawrd]

verb (used without object)

1. to be in agreement or harmony; agree.

   Synonyms: concur, harmonize
   Antonyms: conflict

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.

accord

/ 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

verb

1. to be or cause to be in harmony or agreement

2. (tr) to grant; bestow

Other Word Forms

• accorder noun
• accordable adjective
• nonaccord noun
• preaccord noun
• unaccordable adjective
• unaccorded adjective
• well-accorded adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of accord¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of accord¹

C12: via Old French from Latin ad- to + cord-, stem of cor heart

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. of one's own accord, without being asked or told; voluntarily.

   We did the extra work of our own accord.

see of one's own accord.

Synonym Study

See correspond.

Example Sentences

The individual had previously been convicted of possession of narcotics, attempting to sell a stolen firearm and theft, according to ICE.

From BBC

An estimated 20% of the world’s mature giant sequoias have perished in the last decade due to severe wildfires, according to the nonprofit Save the Redwoods League.

From Los Angeles Times

Although the award was massive and unprecedented, it could have been much worse, according to some calculations.

From Los Angeles Times

Each of Monguia’s remarks “constituted an abuse of authority” and violated the judicial rules of conduct, according to the commission’s statement on the findings.

From Los Angeles Times

That rage grew when she learned the sunscreen she had been using for years was unreliable and, according to some tests, offered next to no sun protection at all.

From BBC

Related Words

• affirm 
• agree 
• conform 
• correspond 

When To Use

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.