laurel
Also called bay, sweet bay . a small European evergreen tree, Laurus nobilis, of the laurel family, having dark, glossy green leaves.: Compare laurel family.
any tree of the genus Laurus.
any of various similar trees or shrubs, as the mountain laurel or the great rhododendron.
the foliage of the laurel as an emblem of victory or distinction.
a branch or wreath of laurel foliage.
Usually laurels. honor won, as for achievement in a field or activity.
to adorn or wreathe with laurel.
to honor with marks of distinction.
Idioms about laurel
look to one's laurels, to be alert to the possibility of being excelled or surpassed: New developments in the industry are forcing long-established firms to look to their laurels.
rest on one's laurels, to be content with one's past or present honors, achievements, etc.: He retired at the peak of his career and is resting on his laurels.
Origin of laurel
1Other words for laurel
Other words from laurel
- un·lau·reled, adjective
- un·lau·relled, adjective
Other definitions for Laurel (2 of 2)
Stan Arthur Stanley Jefferson, 1890–1965, U.S. motion-picture actor and comedian, born in England.
a city in SE Mississippi.
a town in central Maryland.
a female given name.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use laurel in a sentence
The important thing about embracing success, they say, is not to rest on your laurels.
OK Go Is Helping Redefine the Music Video For the Internet Age | Lauren Schwartzberg | December 15, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTAccording to Michaelis, Schwend added to his laurels by writing a history of Operation Bernhard.
Sure, he could have rested on his laurels and retired a decade ago.
‘To Be Takei’ Traces George Takei’s Journey From Japanese Internment Camps to Cultural Icon | Marlow Stern | January 22, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTNever one to rest on his muscled laurels, Walker is currently 2-0 as a professional mixed martial artist.
This is in part because U-God has few laurels on which to rest.
Two Decades Later, Wu-Tang MC U-God ‘Keeps Getting Better’ | Eli Lake | July 19, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
We shall, I know, emulate their steadfastness and achieve a result which will confer added laurels to French and British arms.
Gallipoli Diary, Volume I | Ian HamiltonCastiglione added to his laurels, for it was his handling of the artillery that enabled Augereau to win his great victory.
Napoleon's Marshals | R. P. Dunn-PattisonThe conflict was at an end, he was the victor in the fight, he could rest upon his laurels and take life easy.
Man And His Ancestor | Charles MorrisHe was a general in the United States army, and won laurels in the Mexican war.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology | Joel MunsellNo man of heathen antiquity is better known to us, and no man by pure genius ever won more glorious laurels.
Beacon Lights of History, Volume I | John Lord
British Dictionary definitions for laurel
/ (ˈlɒrəl) /
Also called: bay, true laurel any lauraceous tree of the genus Laurus, such as the bay tree (see bay 4) and L. canariensis, of the Canary Islands and Azores
any lauraceous plant
short for cherry laurel, mountain laurel
spurge laurel a European thymelaeaceous evergreen shrub, Daphne laureola, with glossy leaves and small green flowers
spotted laurel or Japan laurel an evergreen cornaceous shrub, Aucuba japonica, of S and SE Asia, the female of which has yellow-spotted leaves
(plural) a wreath of true laurel, worn on the head as an emblem of victory or honour in classical times
(plural) honour, distinction, or fame
look to one's laurels to be on guard against one's rivals
rest on one's laurels to be satisfied with distinction won by past achievements and cease to strive for further achievements
(tr) to crown with laurels
Origin of laurel
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with laurel
see look to one's laurels; rest on one's laurels.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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