What does agree mean?
To agree is to share the same opinion as someone else or to consent to a proposed course of action. It is one of the most frequently used verbs in English, appearing everywhere from casual conversation ('I agree') to formal negotiation ('the parties agreed to the terms'). The word carries three main senses: concurring with another person's view, giving assent to an offer or arrangement, and — applied to things rather than people — being mutually consistent, as when two accounts of an event agree. Agreeing generally carries a positive, cooperative connotation, signalling harmony or willingness, though agreeing too readily can suggest passivity. Grammatically, 'agree' pairs with different complements for different meanings: agree with a person, agree on a subject, agree to a plan. Derived forms such as agreement, agreeable, and disagree extend its reach across everyday language. Its long history runs from Latin roots through Old French into Middle English, making it both ancient and thoroughly modern in use.
verbTo have the same opinion as someone else, or to consent to or accept a proposal, arrangement, or course of action.
- To have the same opinion as another person; to concur.
- To consent to, accept, or approve of a proposal, request, or arrangement.
- (Of things) to be consistent with each other; to correspond or tally.
"After much discussion, the two sides finally agreed on a compromise."
"We agree that the project needs more time before launch."
"The witnesses' accounts largely agree on what happened that night."
The word 'agree' traces back through Old French to the Latin 'ad gratus' — literally 'pleasing to' — meaning that finding common ground was once rooted in the idea of gratitude and goodwill.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of agree
The verb 'agree' entered English from Old French 'agreer', which itself developed from the Late Latin phrase 'ad gratum' or related forms built on 'gratus', meaning pleasing or thankful. The underlying Latin root 'gratus' also gives English words such as 'grateful', 'gratify', and 'congratulate', all of which carry the sense of favour or goodwill. 'Agree' became established in Middle English and broadened from its original sense of something being pleasing or acceptable to encompass concurrence between people and consistency between things.
Related word forms
How agree is actually used
'Agree' is neutral in register and works in both formal and informal contexts. In formal writing it often appears in constructions like 'both parties agreed'. Note that 'agree' can take different complement structures: you can agree with a person or opinion, agree on (or about) a matter of discussion, and agree to a proposal or action — choosing the right pattern matters for clarity.
Easily confused with agree
'Agree' means holding the same opinion or consenting, while 'accept' means receiving something offered or acknowledging it as valid.