kudo

noun

ku·​do ˈkü-(ˌ)dō 

ˈkyü-

plural kudos ˈkü-(ˌ)dōz 

ˈkyü-

1

: award, honor

… a score of honorary degrees and … other kudos.

—Time

2

: compliment, praise

… rarely hear that kind of kudo to men anymore.

—Ellen 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.

Synonyms of kudo

• award
• prize
• accolade

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

Her performance has been garnering critical raves and the kudos are well-deserved. —Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 13 June 2026

Sacramento State’s annual Rising Stars was a two-day whirlwind marathon of drills and activity that played out on several grass fields near Hornet Stadium, and it was deemed a rousing success, from the weather to the effort to the kudos. —Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 11 June 2026

Promotions, kudos and awards will put you in the spotlight. —Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 10 June 2026

Also deserving of kudos are the memorable characterizations of Sally Wingert and Em Adam Rosenberg, the simple yet imaginatively employed set of Benjamin Olsen, Sarah Bahr’s costumes and the high-energy choreography of Joey Miller. —Rob Hubbard, Twin Cities, 7 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

back-formation from kudos (taken as a plural)

First Known Use

1822, in the meaning defined at sense 1