agree
/əˈɡriː/
verb
Origin
Latin
ad- + gratus — to- + pleasing
Overview
Meaning Now
- To have the same opinion; to concur.
- To reach a formal arrangement or understanding.
- To correspond or match in nature or grammatical form.
Literal older meaning
to come to a pleasing state
Language path
Latin → Old French → Middle English → English
Earliest form
agreen
Earliest period
14th century
Journey
The word entered English via the Old French 'agreer', which itself was derived from the Vulgar Latin 'adgratare'. It fundamentally combines the prefix 'ad-' (to/towards) with 'gratus' (pleasing/grateful), implying that to agree is to find something 'pleasing' or 'acceptable' to oneself.
Evolution
- Latin
adgratare
“to make pleasing to”
Reconstructed Vulgar Latin form.
- Old French
agreer
“to please, consent, or accept”
- Middle English
agreen
“to consent or satisfy”
- Modern English
agree
“to concur or reach a consensus”
Connections
Word parts
a-
prefix
to (from Latin ad-)
gree
root
pleasing, favor (from Latin gratus)
Related across languages
French
agréer
to accept or approve
Spanish
agradar
to please
Related words
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Related to agree
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.