accolade

noun

ac·​co·​lade ˈa-kə-ˌlād 

-ˌläd

1

a

: a mark of acknowledgment : award

received the highest accolade of his profession

b

: an expression of praise

a movie that has drawn accolades from both fans and critics

2

a

: a ceremonial embrace

b

: a ceremony or salute conferring knighthood

3

music : a brace or a line used in music to join two or more staffs carrying simultaneous parts

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What is the origin of accolade?

Give credit where credit is due: it's time to celebrate accolade for its centuries of laudatory service. Accolade joined English in the 16th century from the Middle French noun acolade, which in turn comes from the verb accoler, meaning "to embrace." When it was first borrowed from French, accolade referred to a ceremonial embrace that formally conferred knighthood. The term was later extended to other ceremonial acts conferring knighthood (such as the familiar touching of the shoulders with the flat part of a sword's blade), and then to other ceremonies marking the recognition of a special merit, distinction, or achievement. Today it refers more broadly to an award or expression of praise.

Synonyms of accolade

• tribute
• commendation
• award
• citation

Examples of accolade in a Sentence

There is no higher accolade at this school than an honorary degree.

for their exceptional bravery the firefighters received accolades from both local and national officials

Recent Examples on the Web

Bono presented the accolade, the two talked Springteen’s music and activism and joined Patti Smith and her longtime accompanist Tony Shanahan in People Have The Power to standing ovations, clapping and loud cheers. —Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 13 June 2026

Yet, beneath the accolades lies a persistent fear of not being enough. —Bybryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026

While his classmates dutifully listed their academic awards, extracurricular activities and sport accolades in the high school yearbook, the Long Island resident opted for just six simple words for his entry. —Philip Marcelo, Fortune, 10 June 2026

Rich, who has received numerous accolades through his 30-plus years in country music, asked. —Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 10 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French acolade, accolade "embrace," from acoler "to embrace" (going back to Old French, from a-, prefix forming transitive verbs—going back to Latin ad- ad-— + col "neck," going back to Latin collum) + -ade -ade — more at collar entry 1

First Known Use

1591, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Rhymes for accolade

• ambuscade
• antegrade
• balustrade
• barricade
• cannonade
• cavalcade
• centigrade
• chambermaid
• colonnade
• countertrade
• disobeyed
• escapade

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Kids Definition

accolade

noun

ac·​co·​lade ˈak-ə-ˌlād 

1

: a formal salute (as a tap on the shoulder with the blade of a sword) that marks the conferring of knighthood

2

: a mark of recognition of merit : praise