Chords: meaning, definitions and examples

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chords

 

[ kษ”rdz ]

Noun / Verb
Context #1 | Noun

music

Chords are a group of three or more notes played together to create harmony in music. They are the foundation of most songs and compositions, providing the harmonic structure that supports the melody.

Synonyms

accord, harmony, triad.

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Word Description / Examples
chords

This word is often used in the context of music to describe a group of notes played together to create a sound.

  • He practiced his guitar chords for hours.
  • The song started with a series of beautiful chords.
harmony

This word is used to describe a pleasing arrangement of parts, often in music to indicate the combination of different musical notes or in social situations to denote peaceful coexistence.

  • The choir sang in perfect harmony.
  • Their ideas were in harmony, leading to a successful project.
triad

Triad is a term used in music to describe a set of three notes that are played together. It can also refer to groups of three entities in other contexts.

  • In music theory, a triad is a chord with three notes.
  • The researchers focused on a triad of factors contributing to the phenomenon.
accord

Accord is used to describe an agreement or harmony between people or groups, often in a formal or official setting.

  • The countries reached an accord on climate change efforts.
  • They signed the peace accord after days of negotiation.

Examples of usage

  • Playing the G major chord on the guitar creates a bright and uplifting sound.
  • The chord progression in this song follows a classic pattern of I-IV-V.
  • She strummed the chords softly on the piano, adding depth to the melody.
Context #2 | Noun

mathematics

In mathematics, a chord is a line segment that connects two points on a curve. It is often used in geometry to determine various properties of circles and other shapes.

Synonyms

line segment, straight line.

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Word Description / Examples
chords

This term is commonly used in music to refer to a set of notes played together to produce harmony. It is also used in geometry to describe a line segment connecting two points on a curve.

  • She strummed the guitar, playing a series of beautiful chords.
  • The length of the chords can be calculated using the circle's radius.
line segment

This term is used in geometry to refer to a part of a line that is bounded by two distinct end points. It specifically denotes a measurable part of a line.

  • In the triangle, the line segment connecting two vertices is called a side.
  • We used a ruler to measure the length of the line segment.
straight line

This term refers to an infinitely extending one-dimensional figure with no curves. It's used in geometry and everyday language to describe the shortest path between two points. In a more metaphorical sense, it can also mean something direct or without deviation.

  • Draw a straight line between point A and point B on the graph.
  • He gave me a straight line answer, without any hesitation.

Examples of usage

  • The chord of a circle passing through the center is called a diameter.
  • To find the length of a chord, you can use the Pythagorean theorem.
Context #3 | Verb

music

To chord means to play a series of chords on a musical instrument, usually to accompany a melody or another musician. It involves quickly changing between different chord shapes to match the progression of the song.

Synonyms

accompany, play, strum.

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Word Description / Examples
chords

This term refers to a combination of notes played simultaneously to create harmony, commonly used in discussions about music theory or while instructing someone in music.

  • She taught him how to play basic chords on the guitar.
  • The song's chords are simple, making it easy to learn.
accompany

This word is used when one musical part supports another, often in the context of someone who is playing an instrument or singing along with another performer.

  • He will accompany her on the piano during the performance.
  • The violinist decided to accompany the singer for the final song.
strum

This term is specific to the action of sweeping fingers or a pick across the strings of a guitar or similar instrument. It is often used informally.

  • He began to strum the chords softly, creating a gentle melody.
  • She strummed the guitar while everyone sang along.
play

Commonly used to describe the act of performing music with an instrument or voice. It is a general term and versatile in its usage.

  • She loves to play the guitar in her free time.
  • Can you play that new song you wrote for us?

Examples of usage

  • He chored along with the singer, adding depth to the performance.
  • She practiced chording on the piano to improve her musical skills.

Translations

Translations of the word "chords" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น acordes

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เค•เฅ‰เคฐเฅเคกเฅเคธ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Akkorde

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ kord

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะฐะบะพั€ะดะธ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ akordy

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ใ‚ณใƒผใƒ‰

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท accords

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ acordes

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท akortlar

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์ฝ”๋“œ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุฃูˆุชุงุฑ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ akordy

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ akordy

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๅ’Œๅผฆ (hรฉxiรกn)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ akordi

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ hljรณmar

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะฐะบะบะพั€ะดั‚ะฐั€

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒแƒ™แƒแƒ แƒ“แƒ”แƒ‘แƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ akkordlar

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ acordes

Etymology

The word 'chords' has a rich history, originating from the Latin word 'chorda' meaning 'string.' It was first used in the context of music to refer to the combination of multiple notes played simultaneously. Over time, the term expanded to include mathematical concepts such as line segments. Today, 'chords' are an essential part of both music theory and geometry, representing harmony and connection.

See also: chord, tetrachord.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #12,409, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.