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

• accolade
• award
• blue ribbon
• decoration
• distinction
• honor
• plume
• premium
• prize

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

Shame on the media for going along with it and kudos to Dylan Hernández for his follow-up column. —Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 2024

The Ali Wong-Steven Yeun went on to win five Primetime Emmy Awards in January, including the top kudo for limited or anthology series. —Clayton Davis, Variety, 5 Apr. 2024

On the other hand, kudos to Huntington Beach for trying to fight this trend and bring confidence to the election process by passing voter ID. —Michael Thielen, Orange County Register, 1 Apr. 2024

Both Dead City and Daryl Dixon have been absolutely delightful, and the four faces at the heart of both shows deserve their kudos for keeping the Walking Dead universe spinning for many moons still to come. —Josh Wigler, The Hollywood Reporter, 29 Mar. 2024

If that didn’t score her fashion kudos, the Dior Lady Di bag—originally called the Chouchou and renamed in her honor—dangling from her wrist, along with acres of diamond bracelets, certainly did. —Alice Newbold, Vogue, 25 Feb. 2024

Fallon also gave the couple kudos for their coffee-dunking, boy band Super Bowl commercial that aired last Sunday. —Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 17 Feb. 2024

Actor Sophia Bush did the honors for Lilly Singh, who earned the kudo for Comedy Crossover. —Jennifer Maas, Variety, 9 Mar. 2024

In Mexico, Azteca 7 and Azteca 13 will air the Hollywood kudos fest, starting with a pre-show, followed by the main Oscars ceremony. —Georg Szalai, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

back-formation from kudos (taken as a plural)

First Known Use

1926, in the meaning defined at sense 1