kudos
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ku·dos
(ko͞o′dōz′, -dōs′, -dŏs′, kyo͞o′-)n.
Acclaim or praise for exceptional achievement.
[Greek kūdos, magical glory.]
Usage Note: Kudos is one of those words like congeries that look like plurals but are etymologically singular. Acknowledging the Greek history of the term requires Kudos is (not are) due her for her brilliant work on the score. But kudos has often been treated as a plural, especially in the popular press, as in She received many kudos for her work. This plural use has given rise to the singular form kudo. These innovations follow the pattern whereby the English words pea and cherry were shortened from nouns ending in an (s) sound (English pease and French cerise), that were mistakenly thought to be plural. The singular kudo remains far less common than the plural use; both are often viewed as incorrect in more formal contexts. · It is worth noting that even people who are careful to treat kudos only as a singular often pronounce it as if it were a plural. Etymology would require that the final consonant be pronounced as a voiceless (s), as we do in pathos, another word derived from Greek, rather than as a voiced (z).
kudos
(ˈkjuːdɒs)n
(functioning as singular) acclaim, glory, or prestige: the kudos of playing Carnegie Hall.
[C18: from Greek]
ku•dos1
(ˈku doʊz, -doʊs, -dɒs, ˈkyu-)n. (used with a sing. v.)
honor; glory; acclaim.
[1825–35; < Greek kŷdos]
usage: kudos entered English in the 19th century as a singular noun, a transliteration of a Greek singular noun meaning “praise or renown.” Used largely in university circles, it became popular among journalists in the 1920s, esp. for headlines: Playwright receives kudos. Because such contexts often do not reveal whether the term is singular or plural, and because the word ends in -s, the usual marker of the English plural, kudos eventually came to be treated as a plural meaning “accolades.” The singular form kudo has been produced from this supposed plural by back formation and has developed the meaning “a statement of praise, accolade.” Usage guides generally advise against using kudo (with plural kudos), and sometimes even reject the singular word kudos. However, singular kudo and plural kudos are standard in all types of speech and writing.
ku•dos2
(ˈku doʊz, ˈkyu-)n.
pl. of kudo.
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
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Noun | 1. | ![]() commendation, approval - a message expressing a favorable opinion; "words of approval seldom passed his lips" superlative - an exaggerated expression (usually of praise); "the critics lavished superlatives on it" good word, recommendation, testimonial - something that recommends (or expresses commendation of) a person or thing as worthy or desirable compliment - a remark (or act) expressing praise and admiration |
kudos
noun1. Recognition of achievement or superiority or a sign of this:
2. An expression of warm approval:
Translations
kunniamaine
laus
kudos