encomium
Americannoun
noun
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
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.
Vocabulary lists containing encomium
Literary Devices & Figures of Speech - Advanced
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Reading: Literature - Literary Devices & Figures of Speech - High School
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Gulliver's Travels
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
“It was my first attempt at an autobiographical thing,” Diamond told Rolling Stone of this encomium to an imaginary childhood friend.
From Los Angeles Times • May 6, 2026
Still, there is something uncomfortably obsequious throughout this encomium to Thomas, who sits in review of Thapar’s own rulings.
From Slate • Jul. 25, 2023
The result is both an encomium and an acknowledgment of music’s progress since the days of Xenakis.
From New York Times • Mar. 4, 2022
I’m as guilty as anyone of having blithely used that exaggerated encomium in composing year-end lists in the past.
From Washington Post • Dec. 6, 2021
The arrival of Alma cut short the encomium.
From The Girl Scouts at Rocky Ledge Nora's Real Vacation by Garis, Lilian
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.