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

• 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

Overall, kudos to the researchers for thinking outside the box on AI and psychology. —Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025

And while the streetwise, soft-hearted McClane was key to the film's success, kudos must also go to Alan Rickman's Hans Gruber, one of the greatest action movie villains in Hollywood history. —Randall Colburn, EW.com, 2 Aug. 2025

The primary is in June, so kudos to Harris for providing time for a boisterous race. —The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 3 Aug. 2025

Also, kudos to any movie that finds a way to expand the cliché of the internal monologue voiceover, so that Lt. Frank Drebin Jr. suddenly has some competition on the soundtrack. —Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune, 30 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

back-formation from kudos (taken as a plural)

First Known Use

1822, in the meaning defined at sense 1