chord
/ˈkɔɹd/
nounverb
Familiar
1.n.a straight line connecting two points on a curve
2.n.a combination of three or more notes that blend harmoniously when sounded together
3.v.play chords on (a stringed instrument)
Loading page
chord and cord are homophones: they are pronounced identically and spelled differently, which is why they are so often swapped. chord means “a straight line connecting two points on a curve”. cord means “a line made of twisted fibers or threads”. cord is the more common of the two in everyday English.
/ˈkɔɹd/
1.n.a straight line connecting two points on a curve
2.n.a combination of three or more notes that blend harmoniously when sounded together
3.v.play chords on (a stringed instrument)
/ˈkɔɹd/
| chord | cord | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /ˈkɔɹd/ | /ˈkɔɹd/ |
| Said | kawrd | kawrd |
| Syllables | 1 | 1 |
| Letters | 5 | 4 |
| Parts of speech | noun, verb | noun, verb |
| Senses | 4 | 6 |
| How common | Familiar | Common |
| Synonyms | none recorded | none recorded |
Full entry for chord · Full entry for cord · More comparisons
1.n.a line made of twisted fibers or threads
“the bundle was tied with a cord”
2.n.a unit of amount of wood cut for burning; 128 cubic feet
3.n.a light insulated conductor for household use