kudos

¹ American  

[koo-dohz, -dohs, -dos, kyoo-] / ˈku doʊz, -doʊs, -dɒs, ˈkyu- /

noun

(used with a singular verb)

1. honor; glory; acclaim.

   He received kudos from everyone on his performance.

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kudos ² American  

[koo-dohz, kyoo-] / ˈku doʊz, ˈkyu- /

noun

1. plural of kudo.

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kudos British  

/ ˈkjuːdɒs /

noun

1. (functioning as singular) acclaim, glory, or prestige

   the kudos of playing Carnegie Hall

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Usage

In the 19th century, kudos1 entered English as a singular noun, a transliteration of a Greek singular noun kŷdos meaning “praise or renown.” It was at first used largely in academic circles, but it gained wider currency in the 1920s in journalistic use, particularly in headlines: Playwright receives kudos. Kudos given to track record breakers. Kudos is often used, as in these examples, in contexts that do not clearly indicate whether it is singular or plural; and because it ends in -s, the marker of regular plurals in English, kudos has come to be widely regarded and used as a plural noun meaning “accolades” rather than as a singular mass noun meaning “honor or glory.” The singular form kudo has been produced from kudos by back formation, the same process that gave us the singular pea from pease, originally both singular and plural, sherry from Xeres (an earlier spelling of the Spanish city Jerez), and cherry from the French singular noun cherise. This singular form has developed the meanings “honor” and “statement of praise, accolade.” Both the singular form kudo and kudos as a plural are today most common in journalistic writing. Some usage guides warn against using them.

Etymology

Origin of kudos

First recorded in 1825–35; irregular transliteration of Greek kŷdos

Explanation

If you're really good at judo, you will get kudos, or praise and congratulations, for your speed and strength. You get kudos for doing something well, whether a class presentation, a chore, or a performance in a game or recital. Getting kudos for doing something that makes you famous or well-known is possible too, though it's easier to get kudos just for doing a good job. Kudos looks like a plural noun, but the s is just the ending of the original Greek word.

Example Sentences

Kudos to A.I. on missing the at-leasting nature of people in its training.

From Slate • May 6, 2026

Kudos to you on prioritizing retirement savings and not letting the temptations of high salaries and lifestyle spending deter you from thinking about your and your wife’s futures.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 10, 2026

Kudos to Tom Steyer for recognizing that Californians are struggling, but how about some humility?

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 7, 2025

Kudos to Brentford to keep being able to churn them out.

From BBC • Nov. 9, 2025

“My, what a marvelous trio of academic ambassadors for the district! Kudos to you, Patricia. Kudos indeed!”

From "The Smartest Kid in the Universe" by Chris Grabenstein

Related Words

• applause