Cool MateAgreement vs Contract
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
| Agreement | Contract | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | A decision or understanding made by two or more people. | A legal agreement between two or more parties. |
| Register | - | formal |
| CEFR level | B1 | B2 |
| Part of speech | noun | noun |
| Usage notes | Used when talking about decisions made together. Appropriate in both spoken and written contexts. Avoid in very informal settings where simpler words might suffice. | Use 'contract' in legal and business contexts. It may not be suitable in casual conversations. Also, be aware of its different meanings in legal versus general usage. |
Frequently asked questions: Agreement vs Contract
What's the difference between "Agreement" and "Contract"?
"Agreement" means: A decision or understanding made by two or more people. "Contract" means: A legal agreement between two or more parties.
When should I use "Agreement" and "Contract"?
"Contract" is formal.
Are "Agreement" and "Contract" the same CEFR level?
"Agreement" is at B1, "Contract" is at B2 on the CEFR scale.