Accord vs. Agreement: What's the Difference?
Edited by Huma Saeed || By Sawaira Riaz || 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.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 28, 2023
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 28, 2023
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 28, 2023
"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.
Harlon Moss
Sep 28, 2023
Despite these differences, in many contexts, "Accord" and "Agreement" can be synonymous, especially when indicating harmony or consensus between parties.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 28, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Voluntary decision or harmony.
Mutual understanding or formal arrangement.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 28, 2023
Usage
Can mean granting or bestowing.
Refers to mutual consensus, often after negotiations.
Janet White
Sep 28, 2023
Synonymous Contexts
In terms of consensus or harmony.
In contexts of mutual understanding or conformity.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 28, 2023
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Accord and Agreement Definitions
Accord
Harmony or agreement in feeling or opinion.
They lived in perfect accord with their neighbors.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 28, 2023
Agreement
A contract or document detailing terms and conditions.
Before starting work, he read the entire agreement carefully.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 28, 2023
Agreement
A negotiated arrangement between parties.
They signed a rental agreement.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 28, 2023
Accord
To be consistent or in harmony with.
His actions were in accord with his words.
Harlon Moss
Sep 28, 2023
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Agreement
The absence of inconsistency.
The witness's statement was in agreement with the evidence.
Janet White
Sep 28, 2023
Accord
To give or grant, especially as being due or appropriate
Accorded the president the proper deference.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 17, 2022
Agreement
Harmony of opinion; accord
Since we are all in agreement, let's proceed.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 17, 2022
Agreement
An arrangement between parties, usually resulting from a discussion, regarding a course of action.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 17, 2022
Accord
A settlement or compromise between conflicting parties
The strikers and the owners reached an accord.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 17, 2022
Accord
Spontaneous or voluntary desire to take a certain action
The children returned on their own accord. He confessed of his own accord.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 17, 2022
Agreement
(Grammar) Correspondence in gender, number, case, or person between words.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 17, 2022
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 17, 2022
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 17, 2022
Accord
Agreement or harmony of things in general.
The accord of light and shade in painting
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 17, 2022
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 17, 2022
Accord
(legal) An agreement between parties in controversy, by which satisfaction for an injury is stipulated, and which, when executed, prevents a lawsuit.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 17, 2022
Accord
(international law) An international agreement.
The Geneva Accord of 1954 ended the French-Indochinese War.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 17, 2022
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 17, 2022
Agreement
Concord or correspondence of one word with another in gender, number, case, or person.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 17, 2022
Accord
Voluntary or spontaneous impulse to act.
Nobody told me to do it. I did it of my own accord.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 17, 2022
Agreement
A concurrence in an engagement that something shall be done or omitted; an exchange of promises; mutual understanding, arrangement, or stipulation; a contract.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 17, 2022
Accord
(transitive) To make to agree or correspond; to suit one thing to another; to adjust.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 17, 2022
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
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 17, 2022
Accord
(transitive) To bring (people) to an agreement; to reconcile, settle, adjust or harmonize.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 17, 2022
Agreement
Compatibility of observations;
There was no agreement between theory and measurement
The results of two tests were in correspondence
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 17, 2022
Accord
(intransitive) To agree or correspond; to be in harmony; to be concordant.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 17, 2022
Agreement
Harmony of people's opinions or actions or characters;
The two parties were in agreement
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 17, 2022
Agreement
The thing arranged or agreed to;
They made arrangements to meet in Chicago
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 17, 2022
Agreement
The determination of grammatical inflection on the basis of word relations
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 17, 2022
Agreement
Harmony of opinion or feeling.
There was a general agreement about the decision.
Janet White
Sep 28, 2023
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 17, 2022
Agreement
The act of agreeing.
The two parties came to an agreement after hours of discussion.
Harlon Moss
Sep 28, 2023
Accord
Harmony of sounds; agreement in pitch and tone; concord; as, the accord of tones.
Those sweet accords are even the angels' lays.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 17, 2022
Accord
Agreement, harmony, or just correspondence of things; as, the accord of light and shade in painting.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 17, 2022
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 17, 2022
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 17, 2022
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 17, 2022
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 17, 2022
Accord
To grant as suitable or proper; to concede; to award; as, to accord to one due praise.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 17, 2022
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 17, 2022
Accord
Harmony of people's opinions or actions or characters;
The two parties were in agreement
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 17, 2022
Accord
A spontaneous or voluntary desire or action.
He acted of his own accord, without prompting.
Sara Rehman
Sep 28, 2023
FAQs
Can businesses enter into an "Accord"?
While they can have a harmonious relationship (accord), formal relationships are often termed "Agreements".
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 28, 2023
Is a handshake considered an "Accord" or an "Agreement"?
It can be seen as both, but traditionally signifies a gentleman's "Agreement".
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 28, 2023
Does "in accord with" mean the same as "in agreement with"?
Generally, yes, both phrases indicate consistency or harmony.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 28, 2023
Are "Accord" and "Agreement" always interchangeable?
No, while they often can be, "Accord" might suggest spontaneity or harmony, whereas "Agreement" implies mutual understanding.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 28, 2023
Is an "Agreement" always written?
No, but it often implies a more structured understanding, which can be documented.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 28, 2023
Does every "Agreement" need negotiations beforehand?
Not always, but it often implies a reached understanding after some form of discussion.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 28, 2023
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 28, 2023
Which word is more formal?
"Agreement" typically holds more formality, especially in legal contexts.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 28, 2023
Are "Accords" legally binding?
They can be, but the term itself doesn't guarantee legality.
Harlon Moss
Sep 28, 2023
Which word has more varied meanings?
"Accord" has broader applications, from harmony to granting.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 28, 2023
Do all "Agreements" ensure peace?
Not necessarily, as agreements can be on any matter, not just peace.
Sara Rehman
Sep 28, 2023
Are verbal "Agreements" valid?
They can be, depending on the context and jurisdiction, but written agreements provide clearer evidence.
Janet White
Sep 28, 2023
About Author
Written by
Sawaira RiazSawaira is a dedicated content editor at difference.wiki, where she meticulously refines articles to ensure clarity and accuracy. With a keen eye for detail, she upholds the site's commitment to delivering insightful and precise content.
Edited by
Huma SaeedHuma is a renowned researcher acclaimed for her innovative work in Difference Wiki. Her dedication has led to key breakthroughs, establishing her prominence in academia. Her contributions continually inspire and guide her field.
