laudable
Americanadjective
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deserving praise; praiseworthy; commendable.
Reorganizing the files was a laudable idea.
-
Medicine/Medical Obsolete. healthy; wholesome; not noxious.
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of laudable
First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English word from Latin word laudābilis. See laud, -able
Explanation
Use the word laudable to describe something that deserves praise or admiration, like your laudable efforts to start a recycling program at your school. When you break apart the word laudable, you can see the verb laud, meaning praise or acclaim, followed by the suffix -able, which is a tip-off that this word is an adjective. So laudable describes things that are worthy of praise, such as a laudable effort to end poverty, and it can also describe admirable ideas or beliefs, such as a laudable compassion for others.
Vocabulary lists containing laudable
Grade 11, List 1
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The Tragedy of Macbeth
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100 SAT Words Beginning with "J," "K," and "L"
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Laudable ideals, sure — but there’s more to the story.
From Seattle Times • Jul. 31, 2020
Laudable as this is, quite frankly it is simply too time-consuming for most people on the receiving end of pile-ons.
From The Guardian • Oct. 6, 2014
Laudable as it was, that sentiment assumed that technology would by itself save our underfunded schools and somehow balance our inequitable society.
From Salon • Sep. 28, 2014
Laudable to the general public, it’s complicated both practically and politically.
From Time • Sep. 5, 2013
This Course must be continually follow'd till the Salivation becomes Laudable, and the Symptoms cease.
From The Compleat Surgeon or, the whole Art of Surgery explain'd in a most familiar Method. by Le Clerc, Charles Gabriel
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
