accolade

American  

[ak-uh-leyd, -lahd] / ˈæk əˌleɪd, -ˌlɑd /

noun

1. any award, honor, or laudatory notice.

   The play received accolades from the press.

2. a light touch on the shoulder with the flat side of the sword or formerly by an embrace, done in the ceremony of conferring knighthood.

3. the ceremony itself.

4. Music. a brace joining several staves.

5. Architecture.

   1. an archivolt or hood molding having more or less the form of an ogee arch.

   2. a decoration having more or less the form of an ogee arch, cut into a lintel or flat arch.

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accolade British  

/ ˈækəˌleɪd, ˌækəˈleɪd /

noun

1. strong praise or approval; acclaim

2. an award or honour

3. the ceremonial gesture used to confer knighthood, originally an embrace, now a touch on the shoulder with a sword

4. a rare word for brace

5. architect a curved ornamental moulding, esp one having the shape of an ogee arch

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Usage

What is an accolade? An accolade is an award, honor, or instance of positive acknowledgment or praise.The word is typically used in the context of honors and praise that have been given to a person throughout their professional career.It is especially used to refer to prestigious awards and honors that not many people receive.The adjective accoladed can be used to describe a person who has received many accolades, but the term is rarely used.The word accolade is also used in a few technical ways in the context of music and architecture.Example: It would take too long to list her many accolades, which range from professional awards to humanitarian honors to public messages of praise from her peers in the field.

Other Word Forms

• accoladed adjective

Etymology

Origin of accolade

First recorded in 1615–25; from French, derivative of accolée “embrace” (with -ade -ade ¹ ), noun use of feminine past participle of Old French accoler, verb derivative of col “neck” ( collar ), with a- a- ⁵

Example Sentences

But even if favoritism could’ve played a role in the voting, “Good Hang” is more than deserving of its first major accolade.

From Salon

Bruised and battle-hardened, Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills face Denver on Saturday as their star quarterback seeks to reach his first Super Bowl and add the NFL's biggest prize to his list of accolades.

From Barron's

Despite owning nearly every record and accolade, James said he still has no choice but to keep his standard high.

From Los Angeles Times

The Rising Star accolade is the only Bafta film prize to be voted for by the public.

From BBC

Despite the accolades for work, Moon would have been most proud of his collaborations with his children, who all shared his musical passions, Chelsea said.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• distinction
• kudos