accorder
/a.kɔʁ.de/
To grant in French is accorder.
accorder is a verb meaning to bestow or confer, with or without compensation, particularly in answer to prayer or request. It is often used in the context of granting permission, an interview or a formal right. The phrase accorder une audience is a common formal collocation used when a person of authority (like a monarch or high official) agrees to meet with someone.
Meaning: to bestow or confer, with or without compensation, particularly in answer to prayer or request (verb)
Which one should you use?
While accorder means to grant or bestow, donner is the more general word for 'to give'.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
accorder is a regular -er verb, so its past participle is accordé.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 3 syllables and is pronounced /a.kɔʁ.de/.
Did you know?
- In music, if you want to tune an instrument, you use the verb accorder to mean 'to tune' or 'to bring into tune'.
- Accorder is also used in grammar to describe making a noun and adjective agree in gender and number, a process called l'accord.
- The verb accorder comes from the Latin concordāre, which means to bring hearts together or to be in agreement.
Examples in context
- Le gouvernement a accordé une subvention pour soutenir les arts.The government provided a grant to support the arts
- Elle a reçu une allocation pour l'aider dans ses études.She received a grant to assist with her studies
- Il a obtenu une bourse pour étudier à l'étranger.He was awarded a grant to study abroad
- Elle a fait un don à l'association.She made a grant to the charity
- La fondation lui a accordé une subvention.The foundation awarded her a grant.
- Le juge a accordé sa permission.The judge granted his permission.
- Le juge doit accorder le droit de parole.The judge must grant the right to speak.
- Il faut accorder une audience au ministre.An audience must be granted to the minister.
Example conversation
Gabriel asks Manon for more time on a project.
- GabrielPeux-tu m'accorder un jour de plus ?Can you grant me one more day?
- ManonPourquoi as-tu besoin de plus de temps ?Why do you need more time?
- GabrielJe veux vraiment finir ce travail parfaitement.I really want to finish this work perfectly.
- ManonD'accord, je vais t'accorder ce délai.Alright, I will grant you this extension.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry accorder, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries accorder, CC BY-SA 4.0.
