laudable
Americanadjective
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deserving praise; praiseworthy; commendable.
Reorganizing the files was a laudable idea.
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Medicine/Medical Obsolete. healthy; wholesome; not noxious.
adjective
Other Word Forms
- laudability noun
- laudableness noun
- laudably adverb
- unlaudable adjective
- unlaudableness noun
- unlaudably adverb
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.
The word cure, Richardson says, is far-reaching, and while very laudable as a goal, doesn’t capture the current reality.
From Slate • Mar. 29, 2026
It can feel like a liminal space, but the work of a critic never stops, and a stroll through Chelsea offers views, laudable and not, of how galleries navigate this transitional period.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 9, 2026
In mitigation, defence barrister Philip Wright told the court his actions may seem "unfathomable" given the "laudable and noble" features of his political life.
From BBC • Nov. 21, 2025
“If you want to grow timber in the state, contribute to the economy, contribute to home building — all those are laudable goals,” Stephens said.
From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 21, 2025
“Stubbornness in the face of reason is hardly laudable E’lir, and Master Hemme makes a convincing argument.”
From "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss
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.
