chord

Everyday

1. (music) A chord is a group of notes played at the same time, such as C, E and G on a piano. tree →
2. (maths) A chord is a straight line joining two points on a circle or curve. tree →
3. To strike a chord means to remind someone of something or make them feel sympathy. tree →
4. A chord can also mean one of the strings of a harp, lyre or guitar. tree →

In the lessons

In music lessons, pupils learn guitar and keyboard chords; major chords sound happy and minor chords sound sad. In maths geometry, a chord joins two points on a circle; the longest chord is the diameter. In everyday talk, a story that strikes a chord feels familiar.

Examples

• She played three chords on the guitar. tree →
• C major is an easy chord on the piano. tree →
• Minor chords often sound sad. tree →
• A chord joins two points on a circle. tree →
• The diameter is the longest chord of a circle. tree →
• His speech struck a chord with the audience. tree →
• She could sweep the sounding chords of the guitar, and sing to the music, not always Danish melodies, but the songs of a strange land. tree →

Note

Countable. Silent h: said kord. Homophone: cord (a string or rope) and vocal cords (often misspelled vocal chords). In maths, a chord through the centre is a diameter.