Discord
noun / verb /ˈdɪs.kɔːd/ — Lack of agreement or harmony; a harsh, clashing sound.
Definition
Lack of agreement or harmony between people or things. In music, a dissonance — a combination of musical sounds that feels unresolved, clashing, or tense. Discord is the state before resolution, the note that needs to find where it belongs.
Beyond the definition
Discord is not failure. It is the acknowledgement that something doesn't fit yet — and the implicit promise that resolution is possible. Music needs discord. So do relationships. The unresolved chord is what keeps you listening.
Origin & history
Latin: 'discordia' (disagreement). From 'dis' (apart) + 'cor' (heart). The Latin 'concordia' (heart together) is its opposite.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
The first few rehearsals were pure discord — everyone playing their own rhythm.
A note of discord entered the meeting when the numbers were revealed.
Discord, in music, is not a mistake. It is the tension that makes resolution meaningful.
How to use it
Follow this entry’s examples for grammatical form and sentence placement.
Choose “Discord” when the meaning fits your context: Lack of agreement or harmony between people or things. In music, a dissonance — a combination of musical sounds that feels unresolved, clashing, or tense. Discord is the state before resolution, the note that needs to find where it belongs.
Synonyms
dissonance, conflict, strife, clash
Antonyms
harmony, accord, consonance
Related words
Discord vs dissonance
Discord is a general term for musical conflict or clashing sounds. Dissonance is the technical term for the harsh, tension-filled intervals themselves.
Word in the Wild
See how this word appears in life, language and stories.
Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.
Fictional scene
Tense Disagreement Between Adults
Two adults sit at a table, one using pointed gestures while the other raises a hand for pause.
The physical space and body language between these two figures manifest as discord. It highlights a clashing of viewpoints and an unresolved state between individuals, serving as a visual representation of dissonance requiring resolution.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration
Questions about this word
What does "Discord" mean?
Discord is noun / verb meaning: Lack of agreement or harmony; a harsh, clashing sound.. Lack of agreement or harmony between people or things. In music, a dissonance — a combination of musical sounds that feels unresolved, clashing, or tense. Discord is the state before resolution, the note that needs to find where it belongs.
Where does the word "Discord" come from?
Latin: 'discordia' (disagreement). From 'dis' (apart) + 'cor' (heart). The Latin 'concordia' (heart together) is its opposite.