Sound-alike words

Chord vs. Cord

A chord is a group of musical notes played together, or a straight line joining two points on a circle. A cord is a thick string or an electric cable. You play a chord on a guitar; you plug in a cord.

Word	Part of speech	Meaning
chord	noun	a group of musical notes, usually three or more, played at the same time
chord	noun	in geometry, a straight line that joins two points on a circle or other curve
cord	noun	a thick string or thin rope, or an electric cable that connects a device to power
cord	noun	a long, string-like part of the body, as in spinal cord or vocal cords

Chord

noun: a group of musical notes, usually three or more, played at the same time

Ben learned his first three guitar chords in one afternoon.
The song ends on a soft piano chord.

noun: in geometry, a straight line that joins two points on a circle or other curve

The longest chord of a circle is its diameter.
Draw a chord from point A to point B on the circle.

Cord

noun: a thick string or thin rope, or an electric cable that connects a device to power

Tie the boxes together with a strong cord.
The lamp's cord is too short to reach the outlet.

noun: a long, string-like part of the body, as in spinal cord or vocal cords

Singers rest their vocal cords before a big show.
The spinal cord carries signals between the brain and the body.

How to remember the difference

Chord has an h, as in harmony: chords make music. Cord without the h is a plain string or cable.

Good to know

Vocal cords is the standard spelling; vocal chords is a common error, though you will see it in print. To strike a chord, meaning to stir a feeling, comes from music and uses chord.

Spot the mistake

The singer strained her vocal ~~chords~~ cords during the concert.
Correct: The singer strained her vocal cords during the concert.
Her story about her first job struck a ~~cord~~ chord with the students.
Correct: Her story about her first job struck a chord with the students.

Check yourself

Pick the word that fits each sentence.

1. Unplug the extension before you leave the house.

2. The guitarist strummed a G major to start the song.