accord

What does “accord” mean?

verb.to give or grant someone power, status, or recognition; an official agreement.

SAT Usage

This verb often appears in contexts related to formal agreements, diplomacy, or relationships between individuals or groups. It emphasizes the act of granting or recognizing something significant, suggesting a mutual respect or acknowledgment, which distinguishes it from similar words like "grant," which may lack the connotation of formal consent or agreement.

Common Confusions

Accord implies a formal agreement or mutual recognition, while grant usually suggests simply giving something without the connotation of consent or partnership.

Example Sentences

• She completed the task entirely of her own accord.

• The Geneva Accord of 1954 ended the French-Indochinese War.

• In a surprising turn of events, the rival factions reached an accord that promised to end the decades-long conflict and pave the way for peace.

Word Parts: How to Remember “accord”

Break “accord” into its parts: co- (together, with) + -cord- (heart). Knowing roots like these helps you decode unfamiliar SAT vocabulary.

• Prefix: co- together, with (Latin)
• Root: -cord- heart (Latin)