2 syllables: dis, cord. Stress on dis.
DIS-kawrd
/ˈdɪskɔɹd/
discord is pronounced DIS-kawrd (/ˈdɪskɔɹd/). It has two syllables (dis-cord), with the stress on "dis". Discord refers to a lack of harmony or agreement, often resulting in dispute or disharmony between people, ideas, or sounds. It can describe noisy, clashing sounds in music or a conflict in opinions within a group. The term contrasts with concord, which implies harmony and agreement.
Discord refers to a lack of harmony or agreement, often resulting in dispute or disharmony between people, ideas, or sounds. It can describe noisy, clashing sounds in music or a conflict in opinions within a group. The term contrasts with concord, which implies harmony and agreement.
"There was a discord among the team about the project’s direction."
"Musically, the string section produced a deliberate discord to create tension."
"The country’s political debate revealed deep social discord."
Pronounce as dis-CORD with the primary stress on the second syllable. IPA: US /dɪsˈkɔrd/, UK /dɪsˈkɔːd/, AU /dɪsˈkɔːd/. Start with a short, unstressed 'dis' /dɪs/, then a rounded, mid-back vowel /ɔː/ followed by 'rd' /rd/. Quick tip: avoid a trailing /ɪ/ or /ɒ/ vowel and keep the final consonant cluster crisp. You’ll hear a slight vowel length in UK/AU versions on the stressed syllable.
Common errors include turning /ˈkɔː(r)d/ into a short /kɔɹ/ or pronouncing the second syllable with an /ɒ/ as in 'dog'. Some speakers misplace stress as dis-CORD or think it’s DIS-cord. Correct these by maintaining the /ɔː/ vowel in the stressed syllable and keeping the /rd/ cluster tight at the end. Practice with the phrase ‘dis-CORD with care’ to train the timing and r-sound. You should also avoid swallowing the final /d/; keep it audible but light.
US English yields /dɪsˈkɔrd/, with a rhotic ending and a darker /ɔ/ vowel in the stressed syllable. UK English typically /dɪsˈkɔːd/, with a longer /ɔː/ and a non-rhotic or less pronounced /r/ after the vowel in many dialects. Australian English follows US/UK patterns but often features a slightly broader /ɔː/ and a more fronted /d/. Across all, the key is the stressed second syllable: DISTINCT /kɔː/ quality and the final /d/. For non-rhotic varieties, the /r/ is less prominent when not followed by a vowel.
The challenge lies in the two-part structure: a short, light initial syllable and a longer, rounded stressed syllable with a final /rd/ cluster. Maintaining precise /dɪs/ onset while shaping the back-mid /ɔː/ vowel requires controlled jaw and lip positioning, plus a crisp /rd/ release. The vowel length can vary by accent, creating common length/melisma confusions, and non-rhotic speakers may naturally de-emphasize the /r/. Practicing the two-part chunk ‘dis-’ and ‘cord’ separately helps integrate the rhythm.
The spelling a-l-lows a simple phonetic approach: ‘dis’ as /dɪs/ and ‘cord’ as /kɔːd/ or /kɔrd/. The difficulty comes from tying these two parts into a seamless stress pattern. Remember that the second syllable carries the primary stress, which can conflict with false intuition that the word should balance its syllables equally. Visualize the pronunciation as two strong beats: dis- and cord, with a smooth transition between the two.
🗣️ Voice search tip: These questions are optimized for voice search. Try asking your voice assistant any of these questions about "discord"!
Discord comes from the Old French discord, from Latin discordia, meaning “disagreement” or “discord.” The root dis- means “apart” and cor or cord refers to “heart” or “center” in Latin, echoing ideas of conflicting feelings or opinions. The term entered Middle English contexts to describe disputes or lack of harmony, both in social relations and in music. Over time, its sense broadened to include any lack of harmony, including musical tension or internal conflict. In music theory, discord retains its sense of tension relative to a consonant, with historical references to consonance and dissonance shaping usage from medieval to modern eras. The word’s first known English usage appears in the 14th or 15th century texts, aligning with the period’s evolving notions of social discord and musical dissonance. Today, discord is widely used in politics, relationships, and art to denote clashes between elements that should be aligned. The word’s evolution reflects broader human preoccupations with harmony, order, and the friction that fuels creative and social change.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "discord" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "discord" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "discord" and show contrast in usage.
📚 Vocabulary tip: Learning synonyms and antonyms helps you understand nuanced differences in meaning and improves your word choice in speaking and writing.
Words that rhyme with "discord"
-ord sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
🎵 Rhyme tip: Practicing with rhyming words helps you master similar sound patterns and improves your overall pronunciation accuracy.
