agree
verb (intransitive)
UK/əˈɡriː/US/əˈɡriː/
to share the same opinion, consent to a proposal, or reach a mutual understanding
Example Sentences
They all agreed to meet at the café for a brainstorming session.
He agreed with her idea to reorganize the workspace, believing it would boost productivity.
My parents finally agreed that I could go on the trip, provided I stayed in touch every day.
If you agree to our terms, we can finalize the contract this afternoon.
The neighbors couldn’t agree on the property boundary, so they decided to hire a surveyor.
They agreed to compromise after several hours of discussion, recognizing that unity was more beneficial than continued conflict.
The committee agreed to present the proposal at the conference, highlighting its potential to revolutionize market trends and strengthen investor confidence.
Despite holding different initial perspectives, the participants eventually agreed on a common vision for the project, enabling them to move forward with a clear plan and shared enthusiasm.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
Antonyms
How to Use
To share the same opinion or come to a mutual understanding.Use “agree” when you and others reach a shared perspective, plan, or conclusion. In personal relationships, agreeing promotes harmony, clarifies misunderstandings, and fosters unity—like when family members decide on holiday destinations or budgets without conflict. If disagreements arise, you can look for areas of overlap to find mutual ground, employing phrases like “I see your point” or “We both want the same outcome,” which can keep conversations productive. In professional or formal settings, “agree” might refer to approving contracts, project plans, or protocols; for instance, “We agreed to finalize the budget by the end of the week.” This signals alignment around deadlines, expectations, and responsibilities. In group projects, agreement helps define tasks, ensuring people understand their roles. Meanwhile, in academic contexts, scholars may or may not “agree” on theories—highlighting points of consensus or ongoing debate. Though “agree” often signals harmony, it doesn’t demand uniformity of thought; nuanced consensus can reflect compromise or partial alignment. For instance, you might “agree in principle” while differing on the details, which is still a positive step forward. In disputes, seeking agreement can defuse tension or cultivate collaboration by shifting focus to shared values or objectives. However, it’s just as important to disagree tactfully if a viewpoint contradicts personal convictions: doing so opens channels for learning and respect. Ultimately, using “agree” effectively means pinpointing genuine alignment rather than glossing over differences. When you voice your assent—whether casually with friends or formally with colleagues—it ensures clarity, affirms collaboration, and signals that you recognize common ground, even if it’s partial. Keep in mind that truly meaningful agreement involves understanding why you concur, acknowledging each perspective, and leaving space for constructive conversation even after consensus is reached. In short, “agree” underscores unity and shared direction, providing a base for effective communication and collective achievement across personal, social, and professional realms.
Alternatives
“Agree” frequently ties to concepts like “concur,” “consent,” “approve,” and “align,” each revealing subtle differences in how people reach or express harmony. “Concur” often appears in formal or scholarly settings, signaling agreement without reservation—“The panel concurs with the study’s findings.” “Consent” highlights permission or granting approval, often in legal contexts, implying acceptance of terms or conditions. “Approve” also signals acknowledgment but hints at formal endorsement—one might “approve a proposal” through an official process, suggesting authority to sanction the plan. Meanwhile, “align” points to a broader sense of matching perspectives or objectives, as in “Our goals align, so we can collaborate easily.” You might also encounter everyday expressions such as “on the same page,” emphasizing that multiple parties share a common understanding or purpose. When you need to show a softer, more partial form of agreement, words like “support” or “go along with” suggest willingness to join or back a viewpoint, even if not all details match your initial preference. Finally, “agree to disagree” is a staple phrase that respects differing views without dismissing them, maintaining civility and open dialogue. By choosing the right alternative for “agree,” you capture the precise level and style of concurrence—whether full endorsement, partial acceptance, or a shared foundation that leaves space for individual nuance. This helps fine-tune your language to the context, ensuring that the degree of alignment or harmony is accurately reflected in your words.
Writing
When writing about “agree,” focus on how it frames the relationship between parties and concepts. In an essay or article, you might explore the significance of consensus-building or delve into theories explaining why people tend to seek confirmation from groups. Showing how agreement evolves in negotiations can give readers insight into the dynamics of compromise—illustrating critical points where participants either find common ground or fail to see eye to eye. You might cite relevant data or historical examples, demonstrating how agreement on laws, treaties, or policies laid the groundwork for collaboration or progress. Meanwhile, in a narrative or fictional context, “agree” can depict the emotional dimensions of characters establishing trust or forging alliances. For example, you could describe two protagonists who “finally agreed to work together after weeks of tension,” capturing the relief or optimism arising from their new understanding. In academic writing, be explicit about the extent of agreement—whether it’s full concurrence on every detail, a general acknowledgment of key principles, or a conditional, partial acceptance that leaves finer points open for debate. This level of detail shapes how readers interpret the strength of your claims or the depth of your characters’ commitments. If you employ “agree” too hastily, you risk glossing over complexities or missing the nuances of disagreement that remain. Conversely, by clarifying what exactly the parties agree on—and why—your writing resonates with realism and depth. For instance, “They agreed that community input was vital, yet clashed over methods of implementation.” Through examples like this, you give readers a clear sense of the scope and limits of agreement, making the narrative or argument well-rounded, nuanced, and deeply engaging.
Casual Conversation
In everyday conversation, “agree” is one of the most common ways to show mutual understanding. You might tell a friend, “I agree with you—it’s best to postpone the trip,” indicating that you share the same reasoning. Whether you’re confirming a shared preference, such as “We both agree this pizza place is amazing,” or offering support—“I totally agree you should take that job,”—it reassures others that their viewpoint, idea, or plan aligns with yours. In relaxed chats, you might use lighter phrases like “Sounds good to me” or “I’m on board.” Yet “agree” remains succinct, direct, and crystal clear, skipping the fluff and ensuring no confusion about where you stand. When folks say “We can agree to disagree,” it keeps the peace without needing total alignment, especially if a discussion turns heated or personal. In digital conversations—chat groups or social media threads—you might jump in with “Agreed!” to express quick approval or back up someone else’s statement. Using “I couldn’t agree more” underscores strong enthusiasm, while “I see where you’re coming from, but…” signals partial agreement mixed with a differing perspective. It’s common to slip “agree” into day-to-day dialogues about everything from movies to dinner plans because it smoothly conveys support or approval. By calibrating your tone—like adding emojis or exclamation points in text—you can soften or emphasize how strongly you resonate with someone’s view. Regardless, “agree” remains a go-to word that helps keep conversations friendly, cooperative, and free of ambiguity.
Etymology
The English verb “agree” traces back to the Old French “agreer,” meaning “to please, to satisfy,” which in turn has roots in the Latin phrase “ad grātum,” roughly translating to “to (someone’s) favor” or “to (someone’s) satisfaction.” Early usage highlighted the notion of willingly giving pleasure or aligning with another’s wishes, reflecting a social act of conciliation or harmony. Over time, “agree” evolved to focus on the alignment of opinions, decisions, or sentiments, rather than merely appeasing someone else. In medieval times, agreements—formal or informal—were vital for trade, treaties, or interpersonal dealings, and the word took on broader legal and diplomatic connotations. This evolution paralleled shifts in communal structures, where collective decisions became increasingly important. By the modern era, “agree” had become a default term for expressing mutual acceptance or consensus in everyday language, reflecting both its historical sense of cordial alignment and its more contemporary role in shaping social, professional, and interpersonal interactions. Whether in legal documents solidifying treaties or in friendly banter among friends confirming weekend plans, “agree” continues to embody cooperative harmony, a linguistic testament to humanity’s ongoing pursuit of understanding and collaboration.
