kudos

noun

ku·​dos ˈkü-ˌdäs 

ˈkyü-,

-ˌdōs

1

: praise given for achievement

2

: fame and renown resulting from an act or achievement : prestige

Did you know?

Deriving from Greek, kudos entered English as slang popular at British universities in the 19th century. In its earliest use, the word referred to the prestige or renown that one gained by having accomplished something noteworthy. The sense meaning "praise given for achievement" came about in the 1920s. As this later sense became the predominant one, some English speakers, unaware of the word's Greek origin, began to treat the word as a plural count noun, inevitably coming up with the back-formation kudo to refer to a single instance of praise. For the same reason, when kudos is used as a subject you may see it with either a singular or plural verb.

Synonyms

• acclaim
• accolade
• applause
• bay(s)
• credit
• distinction
• glory
• homage
• honor
• laud
• laurels
• props [slang]
• réclame
• sun

Examples of kudos in a Sentence

Kudos to everyone who helped.

The company has earned kudos for responding so quickly to customers' concerns.

Recent Examples on the Web

Greenwald, who was introduced with Bronx flair by Cardi B, also brought an aw-shucks attitude in accepting the kudos. —Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 5 Feb. 2023

Star Jonathan Majors is getting widespread kudos for his breakout performance. —David Bloom, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Greek kydos

First Known Use

1831, in the meaning defined at sense 2