Accord vs. Concord — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on May 2, 2024
Accord refers to an agreement or harmony between parties, often formalized; concord implies a state of peace and mutual understanding, typically more abstract.
Difference Between Accord and Concord
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Accord often involves a formal agreement between two entities, such as nations or organizations, emphasizing a negotiated and documented settlement. Whereas concord refers to a peaceful and harmonious coexistence, typically without the need for formal agreements.
Accord is commonly used in legal and diplomatic contexts, highlighting the structured nature of the agreements. On the other hand, concord is frequently associated with social and linguistic harmony, suggesting a more organic, spontaneous alignment.
Accord usually requires explicit action or intervention to be established, reflecting its origin from the French word meaning "to agree." In contrast, concord often arises naturally or culturally, rooted in the Latin for "hearts together."
Accord has measurable, specific outcomes or goals, such as treaties or contracts. Conversely, concord's outcomes are often intangible, like societal peace or grammatical agreement.
Accord is typically a temporary state, contingent on the continuance of the terms agreed upon; concord suggests a longer-lasting state of affairs, foundational to community and communication.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Agreement or harmony between parties, often formal
State of peace and mutual understanding, abstract
Usage Context
Legal, diplomatic
Social, linguistic
Nature
Structured, negotiated
Organic, spontaneous
Origin
French "accorder" (to agree)
Latin "concordare" (hearts together)
Outcomes
Measurable, specific (treaties, contracts)
Intangible (peace, grammatical agreement)
Compare with Definitions
Accord
Agreement between parties.
The two countries reached an accord to cease hostilities.
Concord
A state of peaceful existence.
The community lived in concord with its neighbors.
Accord
Harmonious relationship.
The partners were in perfect accord on the decision.
Concord
Grammatical agreement between words.
In the sentence, subject-verb concord is essential for clarity.
Accord
To grant or give (especially officially).
The company accorded him the title of honorary president.
Concord
Musical harmony.
The choir's voices reached a beautiful concord at the finale.
Accord
A formal treaty or agreement.
The peace accord was signed after lengthy negotiations.
Concord
Agreement or harmony between people or groups.
The team worked in concord to complete the project.
Accord
In accordance with.
Distribution was done in accord with the established rules.
Concord
Harmony or agreement of interests or feelings; accord.
Accord
To give or grant, especially as being due or appropriate
Accorded the president the proper deference.
Concord
A treaty establishing peaceful relations.
Accord
(Archaic) To cause to conform or agree; bring into harmony.
Concord
(Grammar) Agreement between words in person, number, gender, or case.
Accord
To be in agreement, unity, or harmony.
Concord
(Music) A harmonious combination of simultaneously sounded tones.
Accord
Agreement; harmony
Act in accord with university policies.
Concord
A state of agreement; harmony; union.
Accord
A settlement or compromise between conflicting parties
The strikers and the owners reached an accord.
Concord
(obsolete) Agreement by stipulation; compact; covenant; treaty or league
Accord
Spontaneous or voluntary desire to take a certain action
The children returned on their own accord. He confessed of his own accord.
Concord
(grammar) Agreement of words with one another, in gender, number, person or case.
Accord
Agreement or concurrence of opinion, will, or action.
Concord
An agreement between the parties to a fine of land in reference to the manner in which it should pass, being an acknowledgment that the land in question belonged to the complainant. See fine.
Accord
A harmony in sound, pitch and tone; concord.
Concord
An agreeable combination of tones simultaneously heard; a consonant chord; consonance; harmony.
Accord
Agreement or harmony of things in general.
The accord of light and shade in painting
Concord
A variety of sweet American grape, with large dark blue (almost black) grapes in compact clusters; a Concord grape.
Accord
A distinctive mixture of fragrances or the odor thereof.
Concord
(intransitive) To agree; to act together
Accord
(legal) An agreement between parties in controversy, by which satisfaction for an injury is stipulated, and which, when executed, prevents a lawsuit.
Concord
A state of agreement; harmony; union.
Love quarrels oft in pleasing concord end.
Accord
(international law) An international agreement.
The Geneva Accord of 1954 ended the French-Indochinese War.
Concord
Agreement by stipulation; compact; covenant; treaty or league.
The concord made between Henry and Roderick.
Accord
(obsolete) Assent
Concord
Agreement of words with one another, in gender, number, person, or case.
Accord
Voluntary or spontaneous impulse to act.
Nobody told me to do it. I did it of my own accord.
Concord
An agreement between the parties to a fine of land in reference to the manner in which it should pass, being an acknowledgment that the land in question belonged to the complainant. See Fine.
Accord
(transitive) To make to agree or correspond; to suit one thing to another; to adjust.
Concord
An agreeable combination of tones simultaneously heard; a consonant chord; consonance; harmony.
Accord
(transitive) To bring (people) to an agreement; to reconcile, settle, adjust or harmonize.
Concord
A variety of American grape, with large dark blue (almost black) grapes in compact clusters.
Accord
(intransitive) To agree or correspond; to be in harmony; to be concordant.
Concord
To agree; to act together.
Accord
(intransitive) To agree in pitch and tone.
Concord
Capital of the state of New Hampshire; located in south central New Hampshire on the Merrimack river
Accord
To grant as suitable or proper; to concede or award.
Concord
A harmonious state of things in general and of their properties (as of colors and sounds); congruity of parts with one another and with the whole
Accord
To give consent.
Concord
The determination of grammatical inflection on the basis of word relations
Accord
To arrive at an agreement.
Concord
Town in eastern Massachusetts near Boston where the first battle of the American Revolution was fought
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.
Concord
Agreement of opinions
Accord
Harmony of sounds; agreement in pitch and tone; concord; as, the accord of tones.
Those sweet accords are even the angels' lays.
Concord
The first battle of the American Revolution (April 19, 1775)
Accord
Agreement, harmony, or just correspondence of things; as, the accord of light and shade in painting.
Concord
Go together;
The colors don't harmonize
Their ideas concorded
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.
Concord
Arrange by concord or agreement;
Concord the conditions for the marriage of the Prince of Wales with a commoner
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.
Concord
Arrange the words of a text so as to create a concordance;
The team concorded several thousand nouns, verbs, and adjectives
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.
Concord
Be in accord; be in agreement;
We agreed on the terms of the settlement
I can't agree with you!
I hold with those who say life is sacred
Both philosophers concord on this point
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
What does "concord" imply in a community?
"Concord" implies a harmonious and peaceful coexistence within a community.
Can "concord" refer to a written agreement?
Yes, "concord" can refer to a formal treaty but is more often used to describe general harmony.
Can "accord" be used as a verb?
Yes, "accord" can be used as a verb meaning to grant or bestow something.
Is "accord" always formal?
Yes, "accord" usually denotes a formal agreement with specific terms.
What is an example of "concord" in grammar?
In grammar, "concord" refers to the correct agreement between subject and verb.
Which term is more likely to be used in legal documents?
"Accord" is more commonly used in legal documents than "concord."
What is the main use of "accord" in legal terms?
In legal terms, "accord" refers to a formal agreement, such as a treaty or settlement.
How does "accord" differ from "concord" in diplomacy?
"Accord" is typically used for specific agreements in diplomacy, while "concord" refers to a general state of peace.
Does "concord" have musical connotations?
Yes, "concord" can also refer to a harmonious blend of musical notes.
What does "in accord with" imply?
It implies acting in agreement or conformity with something or someone.
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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.
