Agreement Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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agreement

[ษ™หˆษกriหmษ™nt ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

legal

A formal arrangement or contract by which a group of people agree to work together for a common purpose.

Synonyms

accord, contract, deal.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
agreement

Used in a broad sense to indicate mutual consent between two or more parties on a specific matter. Can be formal or informal.

  • We reached an agreement on the project deadlines.
  • There is an agreement among the team members to work extra hours.
contract

Specifically used for legally binding written agreements between parties that detail the terms and conditions of their relationship.

  • She signed an employment contract for her new job.
  • The construction company was given a contract to build the new bridge.
deal

Generally informal and often used in business or commercial contexts to indicate an agreement to carry out a transaction or arrangement.

  • They made a deal to sell the car for $5,000.
  • Our company closed a big deal with the overseas client.
accord

Often used in more formal or diplomatic contexts, suggesting harmony or mutual understanding reached after negotiations.

  • The two countries signed a peace accord to end the conflict.
  • The leaders reached an accord on environmental policies.

Examples of usage

  • The two parties reached an agreement on the terms of the contract.
  • The agreement between the two countries was signed last week.
Context #2 | Noun

general

Harmony or accordance in opinion or feeling; a position or result of agreeing.

Synonyms

concurrence, consensus, harmony.

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Word Description / Examples
agreement

Used when two or more parties have reached a mutual understanding or decision. Common in legal, business, and everyday contexts.

  • They finally reached an agreement on the terms of the contract.
  • Our neighbor's barking dog was annoying, but we came to an agreement that they would keep it inside at night.
harmony

Used to describe a state where different elements or people exist together without conflict, often in a more general or ideal sense. It can refer to social, artistic, or natural contexts.

  • The community lived in harmony with nature, respecting the local wildlife and land.
  • Their voices blended in perfect harmony during the choir performance.
consensus

Used when a general agreement has been reached by a group, often implying that the agreement is collective and inclusive. Common in organizational and political settings.

  • After hours of discussion, the committee reached a consensus on the new policy.
  • There is a broad consensus that education should be prioritized in the national budget.
concurrence

Typically used in formal or academic contexts to express simultaneous agreement or alignment in thought or opinion.

  • There was a remarkable concurrence among scientists on the effects of climate change.
  • Her concurrence with the board's decision was crucial for moving forward with the project.

Examples of usage

  • There was widespread agreement on the need for change.
  • They finally reached an agreement on the issue.
Context #3 | Noun

grammar

The relationship between words or phrases in a sentence that shows how the words are connected.

Synonyms

concord, consistency, correspondence.

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Word Description / Examples
agreement

Used when two or more parties reach a common understanding or decision. It's often used in legal or formal discussions.

  • They signed an agreement to end the dispute.
  • Both parties came to an agreement after many hours of negotiation.
consistency

Refers to the state of being consistent in actions, behavior, or qualities over time. It is often used in discussions about processes, performance, or quality.

  • Her consistency in the quality of work is admirable.
  • There's a lack of consistency in the data.
concord

Used to describe a state of harmony and agreement, especially in terms of relationships or social settings.

  • The conference was held in an atmosphere of concord.
  • There was a notable sense of concord among the team members.
correspondence

Used to describe a relationship or connection between things, often in terms of communication or matching elements.

  • There was a clear correspondence between their findings and previous research.
  • We have been in correspondence for over a year.

Examples of usage

  • Subject-verb agreement is important in English grammar.
  • The lack of agreement between the pronoun and antecedent led to confusion.
Context #4 | Noun

psychology

The process of coming to a mutual understanding or acceptance.

Synonyms

accord, consensus, harmony.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
agreement

Use 'agreement' when two or more parties reach a mutual decision or share the same opinion.

  • They reached an agreement on the terms of the contract.
  • The company and the union are in agreement about the new working conditions.
consensus

Use 'consensus' when referring to a general agreement or collective opinion within a group, often after discussion.

  • The committee reached a consensus on the new policy.
  • There is a broad consensus among scientists about climate change.
accord

Use 'accord' in formal contexts, especially in legal, political, or international relations, where an official agreement or treaty is concluded.

  • The two countries signed a peace accord.
  • An accord was reached between the environmental organization and the government.
harmony

Use 'harmony' when describing a peaceful and cooperative relationship free of conflict, often used in contexts related to social or interpersonal relationships.

  • The family lived in harmony with each other.
  • The team worked in harmony to complete the project.

Examples of usage

  • Seeking agreement with oneself is an important aspect of personal growth.
  • Family therapy aims to promote agreement among family members.

Translations

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Interesting Facts

Cultural Perspectives

  • In many cultures, agreements often take the form of verbal promises, where trust plays a crucial role.
  • Some cultures place a high value on written agreements, considering them essential for legal and business proceedings.
  • Traditionally, in certain indigenous cultures, agreements often involved ceremonies to solidify commitments between parties.

Legal Aspect

  • In law, an agreement is essential for a contract, where both parties must demonstrate intent and understanding.
  • Legal agreements can be simple, like a handshake, or complex, requiring detailed documentation and terms.
  • The enforceability of an agreement often depends on whether all parties have the legal capacity to consent.

Psychology

  • Agreeing with others can foster social bonds and enhance feelings of belonging and trust.
  • Disagreement can lead to conflict, but healthy discussions can strengthen relationships if managed well.
  • Cognitive dissonance often occurs when people's beliefs conflict with their agreements, prompting either cognitive change or rationalization.

Pop Culture

  • Many songs and movies focus on themes of agreement, often portraying romantic relationships and friendships.
  • Reality TV shows often highlight the importance of agreements, especially in competition formats where teams must work together.
  • The phrase 'we can agree to disagree' has become popular, encouraging peaceful resolution in discussions with differing opinions.

Origin of 'agreement'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Middle English 'agreememente', which means 'to be united or to concur'.
  • In Latin, it stems from 'ad-' (to) and 'crescere' (to grow), indicating a growing consensus.
  • The concept and practice of forming agreements date back to ancient civilizations, highlighting its fundamental role in society.

The word 'agreement' originated from the Latin word 'agreementum', which means 'a uniting' or 'a coming together'. It has been used in the English language since the 14th century. Over the centuries, the term has evolved to encompass various meanings related to harmony, contracts, and understanding.


See also: agree, agreeable, agreeableness, agreeably, agreed, agreeing, agreements, disagree, disagreeable, disagreeableness, disagreeably, disagreed, disagreement.

Word Frequency Rank

At #558 in the frequency ranking, this word is highly important for effective communication. It's commonly used in daily situations and should be prioritized in your vocabulary building.