B1 noun Neutral

عقد

/ʕaqd/

A period of ten years. Frequently used in IELTS to discuss historical trends or changes over time.

Examples

3 of 5
1

استغرق بناء المشروع عقداً كاملاً.

Building the project took a whole decade.

2

وقعت الشركة عقداً جديداً (Note: context difference).

The company signed a new contract.

3

عشت هناك لمدة عقد من الزمان.

I lived there for a decade of time.

Word Family

Noun
عقود
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Memory Tip

A 'Decade' has 10 years; 'Aqd' has 3 letters, but sounds like 'Added' (adding 10 years).

Quick Quiz

شهدت البلاد نهضة كبيرة في الـ... الأخير.

Correct!

The correct answer is: عقد

Examples

1

استغرق بناء المشروع عقداً كاملاً.

academic

Building the project took a whole decade.

2

وقعت الشركة عقداً جديداً (Note: context difference).

business

The company signed a new contract.

3

عشت هناك لمدة عقد من الزمان.

everyday

I lived there for a decade of time.

4

خلال العقود الماضية، تغير المناخ.

formal

Over the past decades, the climate changed.

5

هذا العقد كان الأسوأ اقتصادياً.

informal

This decade was the worst economically.

Word Family

Noun
عقود

Common Collocations

العقد الماضي The past decade
على مدى عقود Over decades
عقد من الزمن A decade of time
بداية العقد Beginning of the decade
نهاية العقد End of the decade

Common Phrases

عقود متتالية

Consecutive decades

منذ عقد

Since a decade ago

في العقد الثالث

In the third decade (often meaning age 20-30)

Often Confused With

عقد vs عقد (Contract)

Spelled the same ('Aqd), but meaning is determined by context. 'Decade' is usually paired with time words.

📝

Usage Notes

Essential for Task 1 when the x-axis shows years in intervals of 10.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Forgetting that 'Uqud' is the plural.

💡

Memory Tip

A 'Decade' has 10 years; 'Aqd' has 3 letters, but sounds like 'Added' (adding 10 years).

📖

Word Origin

From the root (3-q-d) meaning to tie or knot (a decade 'ties' ten years together).

Grammar Patterns

جمعه عقود يأتي غالباً متبوعاً بـ 'من الزمن'

Quick Quiz

شهدت البلاد نهضة كبيرة في الـ... الأخير.

Correct!

The correct answer is: عقد

More history words

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