eulogy

noun

eu·​lo·​gy ˈyü-lə-jē How to pronounce eulogy (audio)
plural eulogies
1
: a commendatory oration or writing especially in honor of one deceased
she delivered the eulogy at his funeral
2
: high praise
eulogistic adjective
eulogistically adverb

Did you know?

Elegy vs. Eulogy

Both elegy and eulogy may be used about writing or speech in remembrance of a person who has passed away, and this semantic overlap creates the potential for confusion. Elegy (which may be traced to the Greek word elegos, “song of mourning”) commonly refers to a song or poem lamenting one who is dead; the word may also refer somewhat figuratively to a nostalgic poem, or to a kind of musical composition. While eulogy is also commonly found referring to words about the deceased, its basic meaning, both in English and in the Greek language from which it was borrowed, is “praise.” Formed from the Greek roots eu “good” and logos “speech,” a eulogy is an encomium given for one who is either living or dead. If you are praising your partner’s unsurpassed beauty or commending the virtues of the deceased at a funeral, you are delivering a eulogy; if you are composing a lamenting reminiscence about a person who has long since passed, you are writing an elegy.

Did you know?

Eulogies Aren't Only for Funerals

With its -logy ending, eulogy means literally something like "good speech". We are told to speak only good of the dead, but a eulogist actually makes a speech in the dead person's honor--or often instead for someone living, who might actually be there in the audience. The most famous eulogies include Lincoln's Gettysburg Address and Pericles' funeral oration for the Athenian warriors; but these are only two of the many great eulogies, which continue to be delivered not only at funerals and memorial services but at retirement parties, anniversary parties, and birthday parties.

Choose the Right Synonym for eulogy

encomium, eulogy, panegyric, tribute, citation mean a formal expression of praise.

encomium implies enthusiasm and warmth in praising a person or a thing.

received encomiums from literary critics

eulogy applies to a prepared speech or writing extolling the virtues and services of a person.

delivered the eulogy at the funeral service

panegyric suggests an elaborate often poetic compliment.

her lyrical memoir was a panegyric to her mentor

tribute implies deeply felt praise conveyed either through words or through a significant act.

the concert was a musical tribute to the early jazz masters

citation applies to the formal praise of a person offered in a military dispatch or in awarding an honorary degree.

earned a citation for bravery

Examples of eulogy in a Sentence

He delivered a moving eulogy at his father's funeral. several eulogies were given at the special assembly marking the retirement of the company's longtime president
Recent Examples on the Web Thomas’s eulogy would come at the end of the service, held atthe New Mount Nebo Baptist Church of Capitol Heights. Jasmine Hilton, Washington Post, 30 Jan. 2024 Barnea disclosed the existence of the new effort during his eulogy Wednesday for Zvi Zamir, the Mossad leader who oversaw the early years of the post-Munich campaign. USA TODAY, 8 Jan. 2024 Amid the tide of eulogies, some drug experts hoped that Lee’s death would begin to change the national conversation around the country’s punitive approach to drugs. Max Kim, Los Angeles Times, 13 Feb. 2024 Finally, the finest example Sundance offered of a life lived digitally came in the form of a eulogy. Thomas Page, CNN, 29 Jan. 2024 The post comes days after Trump delivered the eulogy at her mother’s funeral in Palm Beach, Florida, on Thursday. Julia Moore, Peoplemag, 21 Jan. 2024 Notably, celebrity civil rights activist Rev. Al Sharpton gave a eulogy at Neely’s funeral, blasting the decision not to arrest Penny on the spot. Danielle Wallace, Fox News, 17 Jan. 2024 The priciest item: pink notecards scribbled with the eulogy that Roman (Kieran Culkin) left undelivered at his father’s funeral in the final season. Irina Anghel, Fortune, 14 Jan. 2024 President Joe Biden and the Supreme Court's chief justice, John Roberts, will give eulogies at the funeral as will O'Connor's son Jay. Tal Axelrod, ABC News, 18 Dec. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'eulogy.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English euloge, from Medieval Latin eulogium, from Greek eulogia praise, from eu- + -logia -logy

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of eulogy was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near eulogy

Cite this Entry

“Eulogy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/eulogy. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

eulogy

noun
eu·​lo·​gy ˈyü-lə-jē How to pronounce eulogy (audio)
plural eulogies
1
: a formal speech or writing especially in honor of a dead person
2
: high praise
eulogistic adjective
eulogistically adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on eulogy

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