kudos

¹

[ koo-dohz, -dohs, -dos, kyoo- ]

noun

(used with a singular verb)

1. honor; glory; acclaim:

   He received kudos from everyone on his performance.

kudos

²

[ koo-dohz, kyoo- ]

noun

1. plural of kudo.

kudos

/ ˈkjuːdɒs /

noun

1. functioning as singular acclaim, glory, or prestige

   the kudos of playing Carnegie Hall

Usage Note

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of kudos¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of kudos¹

C18: from Greek

Example Sentences

You’ll be equal parts annoyed and delighted at its existence, while giving full kudos to the production design team that fashioned a Picasso-esque drumstick for Black to wave around.

From Los Angeles Times

Prison governors said two prisoners had been planning to assault him to "gain kudos and notoriety".

From BBC

But one Whitehall observer notes "kudos to No 10 for handling Trump" so far, not reacting to his every outburst.

From BBC

So he was definitely there and kudos to him.

From Los Angeles Times

Without the kudos of the King, any plans would be easier for opposition politicians to reject – but Labour has a once-in-a-generation majority to vote through big reforms.

From BBC

Related Words

• applause