agree

verb \ ə-ˈgrē \

Updated on: 18 Apr 2018

Definition of agree

agreed; agreeing

transitive verb

1 a : to concur in (something, such as an opinion) : admit, concede

They agreed that he was right.

b : to consent to as a course of action

She agreed to sell him the house.

2 chiefly British : to settle on by common consent : arrange

… I agreed rental terms with him …
—Eric Bennett

intransitive verb

1 : to accept or concede something (such as the views or wishes of another)

agree to a plan

2 a : to achieve or be in harmony (as of opinion, feeling, or purpose)

We agree in our taste in music.

b : to get along together

c : to come to terms

agree on a fair division of profits

3 a : to be similar : correspond

Both copies agree.

b : to be consistent

The story agrees with the facts.

4 : to be fitting, pleasing, or healthful : suit

This climate agrees with him.

5 grammar : to have an inflectional form denoting identity or other regular correspondence in a grammatical category (such as gender, number, case, or person)

See agree defined for English-language learners

See agree defined for kids

Examples of agree in a Sentence

We agreed about some things, but we disagreed about others.
She says that a change is needed, and I agree completely.
We can all agree on one thing: the current law needs to be changed.
Some critics have called the movie a masterpiece, but not everyone agrees.
The house is too big for one person, don't you agree?
She asked if she could go with him, and he agreed that she could.
The jurors were unable to agree a verdict.
The means of ending the dispute were finally agreed.

Recent Examples of agree from the Web

Most of Hartford’s unions have agreed to substantial givebacks over the last two years, but the city is still negotiating with two groups.

— jenna carlesso, Courant Community, "Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin's Budget Will Face New Scrutiny From Oversight Board," 15 Apr. 2018
But similar problems did not stop airlines quickly agreeing on an industry-wide limit.

— The Economist, "The shipping industry attempts to cap carbon emissions," 14 Apr. 2018
Once the commission agrees on a developer, Summers said the next steps would include negotiating an agreement with that firm and obtaining all of the necessary permits for the project to move forward.

— amy lavalley, Post-Tribune, "Valparaiso eyes development proposals for old Anco factory," 13 Apr. 2018
The district and Potawatomi's lab have not agreed on the use of one uniform testing protocol, Crawford said.

— don behm, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Potawatomi's $20 million waste-to-energy plant violated wastewater permit with excessive discharges," 12 Apr. 2018
On Thursday, May’s cabinet agreed on the need to respond.

— Bloomberg.com, "Connecting decision makers to a dynamic network of information, people and ideas, Bloomberg quickly and accurately delivers business and financial information, news and insight around the world.," 12 Apr. 2018
The House and Senate haven't agreed on spending levels for next year's budget.

— nathaniel herz, Anchorage Daily News, "Alaska’s legislative session is almost over and every big problem remains unsolved. Here’s what happens next.," 12 Apr. 2018
After losing the election, Ryan and Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) agreed on the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013.

— Cincinnati.com, "Reports: House Speaker Paul Ryan is not running for re-election," 11 Apr. 2018
Eubanks signed with an agent and declared for the NBA draft, while Kone and OSU mutually agreed on his transfer last week.

— danny moran, OregonLive.com, "Kendal Manuel to transfer from Oregon State Beavers men's basketball," 10 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'agree.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of agree

Middle English agreen "to please, gratify, consent, concur," borrowed from Anglo-French agreer, from a-, verb-forming prefix (going back to Latin ad- ad-) + -greer, verbal derivative of gré "gratitude, satisfaction, liking, pleasure, assent," going back to Latin grātum, neuter of grātus "thankful, received with gratitude, welcome, pleasant" — more at ¹grace

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First Known Use: 15th century

See Words from the same year

agree Synonyms

Phrases

come clean (about);

Synonym Discussion of agree

agree, concur, coincide mean to come into or be in harmony regarding a matter of opinion. agree implies complete accord usually attained by discussion and adjustment of differences.

- on some points we all can agree

concur often implies approval of someone else's statement or decision.

- if my wife concurs, it's a deal

coincide, used more often of opinions, judgments, wishes, or interests than of people, implies total agreement.

- their wishes coincide exactly with my desire

synonyms see in addition assent

AGREE Defined for English Language Learners

agree

verb

Definition of agree for English Language Learners

: to have the same opinion
: to say that you will do, accept, or allow something that is suggested or requested by another person
of two or more people or groups : to decide to accept something after discussing what should or might be done ( Brit )