homage

noun

hom·age ˈä-mij

ˈhä-

sense 2b is often ō-ˈmäzh

Synonyms of homage next

: a feudal ceremony by which a man acknowledges himself the vassal of a lord

: the relationship between a feudal lord and his vassal

: an act done or payment made in meeting the obligations due from a vassal to a feudal lord

: expression of high regard : respect

bowed in homage to the king

—often used with pay

Her work pays homage to women artists of the past.

: something that shows respect or attests to the worth or influence of another : tribute

his long life filled with international homages to his unique musical talent—

People

Did you know?

The root of homage is homo-, the Latin root meaning "man." In medieval times, a king's male subject could officially become the king's man (or vassal) by publicly announcing allegiance to the monarch in a formal ceremony. In that ritual, known as homage, the subject knelt and placed his hands between those of his lord, symbolically surrendering himself and putting himself at the lord's disposal and under his jurisdiction. A bond was thus forged between the two; the vassal's part was to revere and serve his lord, and the lord's role was to protect the vassal and his family.

Choose the Right Synonym for homage

honor, homage, reverence, deference mean respect and esteem shown to another.

honor may apply to the recognition of one's right to great respect or to any expression of such recognition.

the nomination is an honor

homage adds the implication of accompanying praise.

paying homage to Shakespeare

reverence implies profound respect mingled with love, devotion, or awe.

great reverence for my father

deference implies a yielding or submitting to another's judgment or preference out of respect or reverence.

showed no deference to their elders

Examples of homage in a Sentence

The book is a deeply personal homage to her favorite city. the poem is a moving homage to all who have served in our nation's armed services

Recent Examples on the Web Brushed Cotton Duvet Cover Set Parachute’s signature bedding set is an homage to the brand’s beachside hometown in Venica, California. —

Anna Tingley, Variety, 20 Nov. 2023 Her family is from Italy, so that’s where the sangria part of the cocktail comes from, and the tequila is an homage to being raised in the San Diego-Tijuana border region and frequently traveling south of the border. —

Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Nov. 2023 Elvis Costello and the Attractions Brilliant songwriter, Elvis, but this particular record produced by Nick Lowe was a kind of an homage to Stax [Records]. —

Liza Lentini, SPIN, 17 Nov. 2023 The new shoe is an homage to Reebok’s Premier Running line. —

Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 17 Nov. 2023 The influencer was transformed with the help of makeup artist Dom Della, who exclusively used Urban Decay products for the Halloween homage. —

Charna Flam, Peoplemag, 30 Oct. 2023 So when Barbara asked me to take a whack at it, it wasn’t really supposed to be that tethered and that much of an homage. —

Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Oct. 2023 The most famous of her symbolic daughters is undoubtedly Elena Ferrante, whose pseudonym is often speculated to be an homage to Morante. —

Jess Bergman, The New Yorker, 8 Nov. 2023 His home and laboratory feel like humble homages to Fritz Lang’s sets. —

Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'homage.' 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, from Anglo-French homage, omage, from home man, vassal, from Latin homin-, homo human being; akin to Old English guma human being, Latin humus earth — more at humble

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler

The first known use of homage was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century