praise

noun

1

a

: an expression of approval : commendation

deserves praise for the work

I have nothing but praise for the hospital staff.

The critics sang her praises for the performance.

b

: worship

2

a

: value, merit

b

archaic : one that is praised

see also:

damn with faint praise

Examples of praise in a Sentence

He deserves praise for the way he's handled this crisis.

“Good job” is high praise coming from her. She rarely compliments anyone's work.

I have nothing but praise for the hospital staff.

People gathered in the church to sing praises to the Lord.

Recent Examples on the Web

For a brief stretch, The Chicken Store — a gas station chicken counter that has earned praise from both CharlotteFive and Southern Living — seemed to vanish. —Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 4 June 2026

There’s not enough hours in the day to sing her praises. —Yvonne Villarreal, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2026

But his refusal to put anything in writing, and the president's continued praise for the plan, have made some senators skeptical. —Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 4 June 2026

So, is Jalen Brunson's praise of the G-Class warranted, or is this German luxury SUV all hype and no value? —Charles Singh, USA Today, 4 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing praise

• damn with faint praise
• in praise of
• praise be
• praise be to God
• praise (someone or something) to the skies
• self-praise

Rhymes for praise

• baize
• bays
• blase
• blaze
• braes
• braze
• chaise
• claes
• clays
• craze
• dais
• days

Kids Definition

praise

verb

ˈprāz

praised; praising

1

: to express approval of : commend

2

: to glorify (a god or a saint) especially in song

praise noun

Etymology

Middle English preisen "to praise," from early French preisier, priser "to praise, prize," from Latin pretiare "to prize," from earlier pretium (noun) "price, money" — related to price