DictionaryAI

accord

uh-KORD/əˈkɔɹd/UKuh-KAWD/əˈkɔːd/

Pluralaccords

Verbaccords, according, accorded

11 meanings of accord

Practice

  1. 1
    international dealnouncountable
    A formal agreement made between countries.

    Like two teams shaking hands on rules they both promise to follow.

    The peace accord ended years of fighting.

    Both nations signed the trade accord last spring.

    UsageCountries sign or reach an accord. In names it has a capital letter: the Camp David Accords.

    Similartreaty, agreement, pact, convention

    Note
  2. 2
    grantverbtransitive
    To give someone something they should have, like rights or respect.

    Like handing someone the prize they rightfully won.

    The court will accord her the same rights as everyone else.

    We should accord them the respect they have earned.

    UsageSay accord someone respect, or accord respect to someone.

    Similargrant, render

    Oppositedeny, withhold, refuse

    Note
  3. 3
    free willnoununcountable
    A choice to do something yourself, without being told or forced.

    Like deciding to help out before anyone even asks you.

    She left the meeting of her own accord.

    The children cleaned up the room of their own accord.

    UsageUsed in the phrase of your own accord: she left of her own accord.

    Similarvolition

    Note
  4. 4
    in agreementnoununcountable
    A state in which people agree, or in which things fit well together.

    Like everyone in a group nodding yes to the same idea.

    The two sides were finally in accord after hours of talking.

    There was complete accord among the members about the plan.

    UsagePeople are in accord when they agree. With one accord means all together.

    Similarharmony

    Oppositediscord

    Note
  5. 5
    verbintransitive
    To agree with or match something else.

    Like two puzzle pieces that fit together neatly.

    Her story did not accord with the facts we already knew.

    His actions accord with the promises he made.

    UsageSay accord with something. It is a more formal word for agree or match.

    Note

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of accord apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origins

Meanings 1, 3–4, 7–8

Old French acort, from the verb acorder, became Middle English accord.

Meanings 2, 5–6, 9–10

From Middle English accorden, borrowed from Old French acorder, from Latin. It is distantly related to the word 'heart'.

Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 4 facts