kudo

noun

ku·​do ˈkü-(ˌ)dō How to pronounce kudo (audio)
ˈkyü-
plural kudos ˈkü-(ˌ)dōz How to pronounce kudo (audio)
ˈkyü-
1
: award, honor
a score of honorary degrees and … other kudosTime
2
: compliment, praise
rarely hear that kind of kudo to men anymoreEllen Goodman
Is kudo a word?: Usage Guide

Some commentators hold that since kudos is a singular word it cannot be used as a plural and that the word kudo is impossible. But kudo does exist; it is simply one of the most recent words created by back-formation from another word misunderstood as a plural. Kudos was introduced into English in the 19th century; it was used in contexts where a reader unfamiliar with Greek could not be sure whether it was singular or plural. By the 1920s it began to appear as a plural, and about 25 years later kudo began to appear. It may have begun as a misunderstanding, but then so did cherry and pea.

Examples of kudo in a Sentence

an honorary degree from her alma mater that is simply the latest kudo for an outstanding career in journalism a kudo is in order for the way the young people acquitted themselves at their first formal dance
Recent Examples on the Web Malek Pour also gave kudos to the Barrett’s versatile 8.1-meter radius sidecut and poppy, hardpack-gripping C3 camber profile (a camber-dominant hybrid with mellow rocker between the feet). Drew Zieff, Outside Online, 27 Sep. 2024 The design earns kudos for incorporating an origami-style stand that doesn't make users want to tear their hair out. PCMAG, 17 Sep. 2024 The 29-year-old’s response in real time triggered an avalanche of kudos on social media. Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 12 Aug. 2024 Your trusty yet tired iPhone XR may well run the latest and greatest software in iOS 18—and kudos to Apple’s engineering group for its work here—but the iPhone 16 assuredly runs it exponentially better. Steven Aquino, Forbes, 3 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for kudo 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'kudo.' 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

back-formation from kudos (taken as a plural)

First Known Use

1822, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of kudo was in 1822

Dictionary Entries Near kudo

Cite this Entry

“Kudo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kudo. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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