Accord vs. Accordance — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on May 6, 2024
"Accord" refers to an agreement or harmony between entities, while "accordance" means conformity or compliance with rules, standards, or laws.
Difference Between Accord and Accordance
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Accord" often signifies an agreement or pact between parties, suggesting a mutual decision or treaty. In contrast, "accordance" implies following or being in compliance with a set of rules or regulations. It's used to denote adherence to external standards or requirements.
When discussing legal or formal settings, "accord" is used to describe the outcome of negotiations, such as in international treaties or business agreements, emphasizing the consensus achieved. Whereas "accordance" is employed to reference actions or conditions that align with legal frameworks or authoritative guidelines, highlighting conformity.
In everyday language, "accord" might appear in contexts that emphasize voluntary agreement or harmony among people, like living in accord with one's neighbors. On the other hand, "accordance" is often paired with terms like laws or wishes, reinforcing the concept of alignment or obedience to a higher authority or established norms.
The term "accord" can also function as a verb, meaning to grant or give, as in "The manager accorded the employees some leniency." In comparison, "accordance" functions strictly as a noun, never veering from its role in signifying compliance or congruity.
In literary or figurative expressions, "accord" may be used more creatively to denote peace or harmony, such as "They reached an accord." Conversely, "accordance" maintains a technical and often rigid usage, confined primarily to legal and formal discourse, as in "in accordance with the law."
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Agreement or harmony between parties
Compliance with rules or standards
Part of Speech
Noun, Verb
Noun
Usage Context
Legal agreements, personal harmony
Legal documents, following guidelines
Example of Use in a Sentence
"The two countries signed an accord."
"She acted in accordance with the company policy."
Flexibility in Usage
Can be used more broadly and figuratively
Generally used in more specific and formal contexts
Compare with Definitions
Accord
A voluntary or mutual agreement.
They decided to dissolve the partnership by mutual accord.
Accordance
Conformity in nature or character.
The document was prepared in accordance with your instructions.
Accord
A formal agreement between two or more parties.
The nations reached an accord to cease hostilities.
Accordance
Agreement or harmony with a principle or law.
Their procedures were in accordance with state law.
Accord
To grant or bestow upon.
The teacher accorded each student individual attention.
Accordance
A reference to following or being consistent with something.
She acted in accordance with her beliefs.
Accord
Harmony or agreement in feeling or opinion.
They worked in perfect accord.
Accordance
The state of being in agreement with a set of rules or standards.
The building was constructed in accordance with local codes.
Accord
An official treaty or settlement.
The peace accord ended years of conflict.
Accordance
Compliance or conformity.
His actions were in strict accordance with the guidelines.
Accord
To give or grant, especially as being due or appropriate
Accorded the president the proper deference.
Accordance
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Accord
(Archaic) To cause to conform or agree; bring into harmony.
Accordance
Agreement; conformity
In accordance with your instructions.
Accord
To be in agreement, unity, or harmony.
Accordance
The act of granting.
Accord
Agreement; harmony
Act in accord with university policies.
Accordance
Agreement; harmony; conformity; compliance.
Accord
A settlement or compromise between conflicting parties
The strikers and the owners reached an accord.
Accordance
The act of granting something.
Accord
Spontaneous or voluntary desire to take a certain action
The children returned on their own accord. He confessed of his own accord.
Accordance
Agreement; harmony; conformity.
Accord
Agreement or concurrence of opinion, will, or action.
Accordance
Concurrence of opinion;
We are in accord with your proposal
Accord
A harmony in sound, pitch and tone; concord.
Accordance
The act of granting rights;
The accordance to Canada of rights of access
Accord
Agreement or harmony of things in general.
The accord of light and shade in painting
Accord
A distinctive mixture of fragrances or the odor thereof.
Accord
(legal) An agreement between parties in controversy, by which satisfaction for an injury is stipulated, and which, when executed, prevents a lawsuit.
Accord
(international law) An international agreement.
The Geneva Accord of 1954 ended the French-Indochinese War.
Accord
(obsolete) Assent
Accord
Voluntary or spontaneous impulse to act.
Nobody told me to do it. I did it of my own accord.
Accord
(transitive) To make to agree or correspond; to suit one thing to another; to adjust.
Accord
(transitive) To bring (people) to an agreement; to reconcile, settle, adjust or harmonize.
Accord
(intransitive) To agree or correspond; to be in harmony; to be concordant.
Accord
(intransitive) To agree in pitch and tone.
Accord
To grant as suitable or proper; to concede or award.
Accord
To give consent.
Accord
To arrive at an agreement.
Accord
Agreement or concurrence of opinion, will, or action; harmony of mind; consent; assent.
A mediator of an accord and peace between them.
These all continued with one accord in prayer.
Accord
Harmony of sounds; agreement in pitch and tone; concord; as, the accord of tones.
Those sweet accords are even the angels' lays.
Accord
Agreement, harmony, or just correspondence of things; as, the accord of light and shade in painting.
Accord
Voluntary or spontaneous motion or impulse to act; - preceded by own; as, of one's own accord.
That which groweth of its own accord of thy harvest thou shalt not reap.
Of his own accord he went unto you.
Accord
An agreement between parties in controversy, by which satisfaction for an injury is stipulated, and which, when executed, bars a suit.
They rushed with one accord into the theater.
Accord
To make to agree or correspond; to suit one thing to another; to adjust; - followed by to.
Her hands accorded the lute's music to the voice.
Accord
To bring to an agreement, as persons; to reconcile; to settle, adjust, harmonize, or compose, as things; as, to accord suits or controversies.
When they were accorded from the fray.
All which particulars, being confessedly knotty and difficult can never be accorded but by a competent stock of critical learning.
Accord
To grant as suitable or proper; to concede; to award; as, to accord to one due praise.
Accord
To agree; to correspond; to be in harmony; - followed by with, formerly also by to; as, his disposition accords with his looks.
My heart accordeth with my tongue.
Thy actions to thy words accord.
Accord
To agree in pitch and tone.
Accord
Harmony of people's opinions or actions or characters;
The two parties were in agreement
Accord
Concurrence of opinion;
We are in accord with your proposal
Accord
A written agreement between two states or sovereigns
Accord
Sympathetic compatibility
Accord
Go together;
The colors don't harmonize
Their ideas concorded
Accord
Allow to have;
Grant a privilege
Common Curiosities
Can "accord" be used as a verb?
Yes, "accord" can also function as a verb meaning to grant or give something.
What is the primary function of the word "accord"?
"Accord" primarily refers to an agreement or harmony between parties.
Is "accordance" ever used as a verb?
No, "accordance" is only used as a noun.
What does "in accordance with" mean?
"In accordance with" means in compliance with or in conformity to a set of rules or standards.
In what contexts is "accordance" typically used?
"Accordance" is typically used in formal contexts, such as legal, regulatory, or policy-related discussions.
Is "accordance" related to personal agreements?
"Accordance" is not typically associated with personal agreements but rather with adherence to formal rules or guidelines.
What verb form is associated with "accord"?
The verb form of "accord" is "to accord," meaning to grant or give.
Are there any synonyms for "accordance"?
Yes, synonyms for "accordance" include compliance, conformity, and alignment.
Can "accord" and "accordance" be used interchangeably?
No, "accord" and "accordance" cannot be used interchangeably due to their different meanings and uses.
Are there any synonyms for "accord"?
Yes, synonyms for "accord" include agreement, treaty, or concord.
How is "accord" different from "accordance" in legal documents?
"Accord" refers to an agreement made, whereas "accordance" refers to compliance with legal terms or conditions.
Can "accordance" be used in everyday conversation?
While possible, "accordance" is more commonly found in formal or technical language.
How does "accord" enhance a sentence?
"Accord" enhances a sentence by adding a sense of agreement, harmony, or official arrangement.
What is an example of "accord" being used in international relations?
An example would be, "The two countries reached an accord to work together on environmental issues."
How does "accordance" enhance a sentence?
"Accordance" enhances a sentence by emphasizing conformity or compliance with rules or standards.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
