Words / B2

KORD/kɔːd/

A chord is a group of notes played together; also (in maths) a straight line joining two points on a curve: a major chord; a chord of a circle. Harmony is related in music; a cord (no h) is string or wire — a classic spelling trap, often the same sound. Name the chord in the score. Mix-up: chord vs cord; cored; do not write chord for a headphone cable.

Meaning

A group of notes played together; also (in maths) a straight line joining two points on a curve.

Examples

• “Name the chord in the score; a chord of the circle featured in the maths paper.”
• “A power cord featured in the safety brief, which is the no-h electrical sense — not the music chord.”

Good to know

a major / minor chord; chord sequence; a chord of a circle. Music twin: harmony. Spelling trap: cord (string / flex). Maths and music. Notes together, or a line across a curve — specify; never cord for the music sense.

Near in meaning

harmony, triad, interval

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