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encomium

American  
[en-koh-mee-uhm] / ɛnˈkoʊ mi əm /

noun

plural

encomiums, encomia
  1. a formal expression of high praise; eulogy.

    An encomium by the president greeted the returning hero.


encomium British  
/ ɛnˈkəʊmɪəm /

noun

  1. a formal expression of praise; eulogy; panegyric

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of encomium

First recorded in 1580–90; from Latin, from Greek enkṓmion, equivalent to en- en- 2 + kôm(os) “a revel” + -ion noun suffix

Explanation

An encomium is a fancy word for a formal speech or piece of writing that warmly praises someone or something. Encomium comes from the Greek word enkomion which, in a nutshell, is to honor someone or something at a party in a poetic speech. It used to refer to the song for the winner of the Olympic Games, sung at a victory celebration. You might hear an encomium at a retirement party, after you publish a fabulous book, or even at a funeral (a eulogy, or speech at a funeral about the person who died, is a kind of encomium). It's pronounced with a long O, en-CO-mium.

Keep Reading on Vocabulary.com

Vocabulary lists containing encomium

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.

The director is Reginald Hudlin, but, in tone and temperament, this lovingly assembled encomium is peak Oprah Winfrey.

From New York Times • Sep. 22, 2022

As the priest assured their families that the quartet's loss was not in vain, the choir chanted the encomium "Memory Eternal" in Ukrainian.

From Reuters • Mar. 15, 2022

Granted, those who claim the authority to instruct the rest of us on what deserves that encomium missed its true significance.

From Salon • Feb. 29, 2020

The tone they struck was the conscious-uncoupling style of our era, a blissed-out encomium that included the phrases “loving exploration,” “shared lives,” “incredibly lucky,” “deeply grateful,” and “wonderful futures ahead.”

From Slate • Jan. 9, 2019

What an encomium I have paid him in one word!

From The Sylph, Volume I and II by Cavendish, Georgiana