Cord versus Chord – What’s the Gist?
Cord and chord are two commonly confused words without any real overlap in meaning. Both can be used as nouns, and both have rare and infrequent uses as verbs. You must know the meaning of the word in order to choose the correct version.
- Cord can be used as either a noun or a verb; the most common definition refers to a slender length of material, but the verb version has to do with binding an object with said material.
- Chord is also a noun, and any time this word is used, music will be referenced.
How to Use Cord in a Sentence
Cord definition. Cord as a noun is defined as a slender length of flexible material typically made of twisted strands of fibrous material used to connect or support.
For example,
- The parachute instructor directed her student to pull the proper cord at 3,000 feet.
Cord is the correct word if you are referring to something anatomical.
- The opera singer’s vocal cords were damaged after prolonged use.
Although it is rare to use cord as a verb, if you are referring to binding something, use this word.
- My father corded wood each fall for our wood-burning heater.
Of these three senses, the most common use of cord is as a noun to refer to a rope-like structure of twisted fibers.
How to Use Chord in a Sentence
Chord definition. Chord is also a noun. However, it also carries a verb form as does cord.
Chord as a noun is used to describe a combination of three or more pitches sounded at the same time in a piece of music. This is the most common use of the word.
- The three chords sounded heavenly when played together.
Chord as a verb refers to playing the musical notes on an instrument.
- The tuner chorded the guitar just before the concert.
The using of chord as a verb is somewhat rare and you are unlikely to encounter it in everyday writing.
Outside Examples of Anxious and Eager
- While earlier game times were a main culprit, cord-cutting also played a role, sources said. New York Times
- Traditional robots also often need a power cord or a large, heavy battery. Chicago Sun Times
- The Rock Bottom Remainders perform at 7 p.m. on Nov. 23 at The Porch. We hear they know up to four chords now. Chicago Tribune
- Gradually they rambled into Thelonious Monk’s “Misterioso,” and going further back in jazz time, the pair worked up a good steady groove in the old Benny Goodman/Charlie Christian showcase “Seven Come Eleven,” with Lage swinging hard over Frisell’s chordings. New York Times
Phrases that Use Cord and Chord
Cord is a word that is used quite often in everyday expressions. You may hear someone tell a parent to “cut the cord” regarding an older child who seems too dependent upon him or her.
Another, more modern phrase has to do with people dropping television cable for streaming subscriptions such as Netflix or Hulu. Doing this is known as “cord-cutting.”
Perhaps the most widely used phrase you’ll see associated with the word chord has to do with striking a chord. This isn’t a strictly musical term either;,this use means that the subject evoked an emotional response from someone. People might say that a scene from a movie “struck a chord” with viewers.
How to Remember These Words
Cord and chord are commonly confused, but knowing how you intend to use the word can help you to choose the right word.
The easiest way to remember the word chord is to note that musical instruments make chords. You can also remember that the musical instrument called the harpsichord contains the word chord, in addition to starting with an “h.”
Cord, on the other hand, is made from fabric, but there is also an anatomical use for this word. You can remember that the cord uses four letters in its spelling and many cords are made of three or four strands of fabric.
Article Summary
Is cord or chord correct? Use cord to describe a piece of fabric that can connect two or more things, or use cord to describe anatomical tissue, such as vocal cords or an umbilical cord. These uses all use cord as a noun. A rare version of cord is used as a verb, and it means to bind objects together.
Use chord when you are discussing musical notes. The phrase “struck a chord” means that a song, movie, or quote evoked an emotional response from an individual.
- Cord describes fabric or anatomical material that connects multiple objects.
- Chord refers to musical notes played together.