adulation

[aj-uh-ley-shuhn]

noun

1. excessive devotion to someone; servile flattery.

adulation

/ ˌædjʊˈleɪʃən /

noun

1. obsequious flattery or praise; extreme admiration

Other Word Forms

• adulatory adjective
• self-adulation noun
• self-adulatory adjective
• unadulating adjective
• unadulatory adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of adulation¹

Middle English < Middle French < Latin adūlātiōn- (stem of adūlātiō ) servile flattery, fawning, equivalent to adūlāt ( us ), past participle of adūlārī, -āre to fawn upon (of dogs), apparently a nominal derivative, with ad- ad-, of an otherwise unattested base + -iōn- -ion

Example Sentences

Those comments also appeared to show that Mourinho is ready to accept legend status and adulation from the home supporters on Tuesday, despite spells at Tottenham and Manchester United.

From BBC

This week, he has embraced home comforts and accepted the adulation, from his red-eye Monday practice round through to being roared on by thousands on the 72nd hole.

From BBC

It is all a far cry from his incarceration, but Peake doesn't seem overly interested in soaking up adulation for turning his life around.

From BBC

His "strategy" is to do whatever he thinks will secure him instant adulation.

From Salon

He never enjoyed touring, so this band was a whole new life for him, to experience his own music and an adulation that he never had before.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• applause 
• commendation