chord
A chord is a group of three or more musical notes played together at the same time. It is used to create harmony in songs and is a basic part of playing instruments like the guitar or piano.
Examples
3 of 5The teacher showed me how to play a simple C major chord on the guitar.
The teacher showed me how to play a simple C major chord on the guitar.
The final chord of the symphony resonated through the concert hall.
The final chord of the symphony resonated through the concert hall.
Just play any chord that sounds good with the melody.
Just play any chord that sounds good with the melody.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word Family
Memory Tip
Remember that 'CHord' is for 'CHorus'—both are parts of music.
Quick Quiz
He learned to play his first _____ on the piano today.
Correct!
The correct answer is: chord
Examples
The teacher showed me how to play a simple C major chord on the guitar.
everydayThe teacher showed me how to play a simple C major chord on the guitar.
The final chord of the symphony resonated through the concert hall.
formalThe final chord of the symphony resonated through the concert hall.
Just play any chord that sounds good with the melody.
informalJust play any chord that sounds good with the melody.
A triad is a specific type of chord consisting of three distinct pitches.
academicA triad is a specific type of chord consisting of three distinct pitches.
The new advertisement really struck a chord with our younger customers.
businessThe new advertisement really struck a chord with our younger customers.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
strike a chord
to cause someone to feel a particular emotion
vocal chords
the folds in the throat used to speak (often spelled 'cords')
lost chord
something beautiful or important that has been forgotten
Often Confused With
A 'cord' is a piece of string or a wire, whereas a 'chord' is a musical term.
A 'card' is a piece of stiff paper, while a 'chord' is a group of notes.
Usage Notes
In music, 'chord' refers to the sound of multiple notes. Figuratively, 'to strike a chord' is used when an idea or message connects emotionally with someone.
Common Mistakes
Learners often forget the 'h' in the spelling, writing 'cord' instead of 'chord' when referring to music.
Memory Tip
Remember that 'CHord' is for 'CHorus'—both are parts of music.
Word Origin
Derived from Middle English 'cord', a shortening of 'accord', meaning agreement or harmony.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
Chords are the foundational building blocks of Western pop and classical music theory.
Quick Quiz
He learned to play his first _____ on the piano today.
Correct!
The correct answer is: chord
Related Vocabulary
Harmony is when different parts or things fit together in a...
melodyA melody is a sequence of musical notes that are pleasant to...
noteIn music, a note is a single sound with a specific pitch and...
scaleA musical scale is a set of musical notes ordered by pitch,...
instrumentAn object that is played to make musical sounds, such as a p...
rhythmA rhythm is a regular, repeating pattern of sounds or moveme...
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