Accord vs. Agreement: What's the Difference?
Edited by Aimie Carlson || By Janet White || Updated on September 28, 2023
"Accord" is a voluntary decision or harmony, while "Agreement" is a mutual understanding or a formal arrangement, often documented.
Key Differences
"Accord" and "Agreement" are words often used interchangeably, but they have subtle distinctions in their meanings.
An "Accord" typically refers to a spontaneous or voluntary consensus or harmony between parties or elements. For instance, living in accord with nature suggests a harmonious relationship. "Agreement", on the other hand, often conveys a more formal mutual understanding between entities, possibly following negotiations.
Another distinction can be drawn in terms of formality. While an "Accord" can be informal, an "Agreement" is often more structured and can be a written document outlining terms, conditions, and mutual commitments.
"Accord" also can be used as a verb, implying the act of granting or bestowing. For instance, honors accorded to a war hero. Conversely, "Agreement" largely remains a noun, predominantly reflecting consensus or conformity.
Despite these differences, in many contexts, "Accord" and "Agreement" can be synonymous, especially when indicating harmony or consensus between parties.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Voluntary decision or harmony.
Mutual understanding or formal arrangement.
Part of Speech
Noun/Verb
Noun
Formality
Can be informal.
Often more formal, can be documented.
Usage
Can mean granting or bestowing.
Refers to mutual consensus, often after negotiations.
Synonymous Contexts
In terms of consensus or harmony.
In contexts of mutual understanding or conformity.
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Accord and Agreement Definitions
Accord
Harmony or agreement in feeling or opinion.
They lived in perfect accord with their neighbors.
Agreement
A contract or document detailing terms and conditions.
Before starting work, he read the entire agreement carefully.
Accord
A formal agreement.
The two nations reached an accord on trade.
Agreement
A negotiated arrangement between parties.
They signed a rental agreement.
Accord
To be consistent or in harmony with.
His actions were in accord with his words.
Agreement
The absence of inconsistency.
The witness's statement was in agreement with the evidence.
Accord
To give or grant, especially as being due or appropriate
Accorded the president the proper deference.
Agreement
The act of agreeing
When did the agreement take place?.
Accord
(Archaic) To cause to conform or agree; bring into harmony.
Agreement
Harmony of opinion; accord
Since we are all in agreement, let's proceed.
Accord
To be in agreement, unity, or harmony.
Agreement
An arrangement between parties, usually resulting from a discussion, regarding a course of action.
Accord
Agreement; harmony
Act in accord with university policies.
Agreement
A properly executed and legally binding contract.
Accord
A settlement or compromise between conflicting parties
The strikers and the owners reached an accord.
Agreement
The writing or document embodying this contract.
Accord
Spontaneous or voluntary desire to take a certain action
The children returned on their own accord. He confessed of his own accord.
Agreement
(Grammar) Correspondence in gender, number, case, or person between words.
Accord
Agreement or concurrence of opinion, will, or action.
Agreement
(countable) An understanding between entities to follow a specific course of conduct.
To enter an agreement;
The UK and US negotiators nearing agreement;
He nodded his agreement.
Accord
A harmony in sound, pitch and tone; concord.
Agreement
(uncountable) A state whereby several parties share a view or opinion; the state of not contradicting one another.
The results of my experiment are in agreement with those of Michelson and with the law of General Relativity.
Accord
Agreement or harmony of things in general.
The accord of light and shade in painting
Agreement
A legally binding contract enforceable in a court of law.
Accord
A distinctive mixture of fragrances or the odor thereof.
Agreement
Rules that exist in many languages that force some parts of a sentence to be used or inflected differently depending on certain attributes of other parts.
Accord
(legal) An agreement between parties in controversy, by which satisfaction for an injury is stipulated, and which, when executed, prevents a lawsuit.
Agreement
An agreeable quality.
Accord
(international law) An international agreement.
The Geneva Accord of 1954 ended the French-Indochinese War.
Agreement
State of agreeing; harmony of opinion, statement, action, or character; concurrence; concord; conformity; as, a good agreement subsists among the members of the council.
What agreement hath the temple of God with idols ?
Expansion and duration have this further agreement.
Accord
(obsolete) Assent
Agreement
Concord or correspondence of one word with another in gender, number, case, or person.
Accord
Voluntary or spontaneous impulse to act.
Nobody told me to do it. I did it of my own accord.
Agreement
A concurrence in an engagement that something shall be done or omitted; an exchange of promises; mutual understanding, arrangement, or stipulation; a contract.
Accord
(transitive) To make to agree or correspond; to suit one thing to another; to adjust.
Agreement
The statement (oral or written) of an exchange of promises;
They had an agreement that they would not interfere in each other's business
There was an understanding between management and the workers
Accord
(transitive) To bring (people) to an agreement; to reconcile, settle, adjust or harmonize.
Agreement
Compatibility of observations;
There was no agreement between theory and measurement
The results of two tests were in correspondence
Accord
(intransitive) To agree or correspond; to be in harmony; to be concordant.
Agreement
Harmony of people's opinions or actions or characters;
The two parties were in agreement
Accord
(intransitive) To agree in pitch and tone.
Agreement
The thing arranged or agreed to;
They made arrangements to meet in Chicago
Accord
To grant as suitable or proper; to concede or award.
Agreement
The determination of grammatical inflection on the basis of word relations
Accord
To give consent.
Agreement
The verbal act of agreeing
Accord
To arrive at an agreement.
Agreement
Harmony of opinion or feeling.
There was a general agreement about the decision.
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.
Agreement
The act of agreeing.
The two parties came to an agreement after hours of discussion.
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
Accord
A spontaneous or voluntary desire or action.
He acted of his own accord, without prompting.
Accord
To bestow or grant.
The university accorded her an honorary degree.
FAQs
Can "Accord" refer to a treaty?
Yes, like the Paris Peace Accords.
Can businesses enter into an "Accord"?
While they can have a harmonious relationship (accord), formal relationships are often termed "Agreements".
Is a handshake considered an "Accord" or an "Agreement"?
It can be seen as both, but traditionally signifies a gentleman's "Agreement".
Does "in accord with" mean the same as "in agreement with"?
Generally, yes, both phrases indicate consistency or harmony.
Are "Accord" and "Agreement" always interchangeable?
No, while they often can be, "Accord" might suggest spontaneity or harmony, whereas "Agreement" implies mutual understanding.
Can "Accord" be used as a verb?
Yes, as in "accord honors to someone."
Is an "Agreement" always written?
No, but it often implies a more structured understanding, which can be documented.
Does every "Agreement" need negotiations beforehand?
Not always, but it often implies a reached understanding after some form of discussion.
Is living in "Accord" with nature the same as having an "Agreement" with nature?
Living in "Accord" suggests harmony, while an "Agreement" with nature would anthropomorphize nature as a negotiable entity.
Which word is more formal?
"Agreement" typically holds more formality, especially in legal contexts.
Are "Accords" legally binding?
They can be, but the term itself doesn't guarantee legality.
Which word has more varied meanings?
"Accord" has broader applications, from harmony to granting.
Do all "Agreements" ensure peace?
Not necessarily, as agreements can be on any matter, not just peace.
Can "Accord" imply a concession?
Yes, as in "accorded privileges."
Are verbal "Agreements" valid?
They can be, depending on the context and jurisdiction, but written agreements provide clearer evidence.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
