accolades

IPA/ˈakəlˌeɪdz/
KK[ˈækəlˌedz]IPA/ˈækəlˌeɪdz/

accolades — noun

1. expressions of praise, admiration, or approval that people say or write about so

1.nounC1
Definition

expressions of praise, admiration, or approval that people say or write about someone or something because of their achievements or qualities.

Example

The chef received widespread accolades for her creative use of local ingredients in every dish.

collocation: receive accolades for [something]

Critics heaped accolades on the young novelist's debut work, calling it a masterpiece of modern fiction.

collocation: heap accolades on [someone]

Common collocations
  • receive accolades
  • earn accolades
  • win accolades
  • heap accolades on
  • widespread accolades
  • international accolades
  • critical accolades
Synonyms
  • praise

    more general and less formal; used in everyday contexts rather than public ceremonies

  • acclaim

    enthusiastic public approval, often from critics or audiences

  • commendation

    formal praise, often official or written

  • tribute

    an act or statement showing gratitude or respect, often in a public ceremony

Antonyms
  • criticism

    expression of disapproval based on perceived faults

  • condemnation

    strong, often public, expression of disapproval

Grammar Patterns

plural form standard

often with 'for' + noun phrase

Usage Note

Almost always used in the plural form ('accolades') even when the praise is collective; the singular 'accolade' is much rarer in modern English.

Common Mistakes

The teacher gave me many accolades for my homework.
The teacher praised my homework.
'accolades' is too formal for everyday classroom situations; use 'praise' instead.
She received accolade from the committee.
She received accolades from the committee.
The plural form is standard even when referring to a general expression of approval.

2. a formal award, prize, medal, or other concrete mark of recognition given to som

2.nounC1
Definition

a formal award, prize, medal, or other concrete mark of recognition given to someone for an achievement, often displayed or listed as an honor.

Example

The university presented him with its highest accolades for his lifetime contributions to medical science.

collocation: highest accolades

Takashi's documentary collected accolades at film festivals in Berlin, Tokyo, and Buenos Aires.

collocation: collect accolades at [event]

Common collocations
  • highest accolades
  • collect accolades
  • present accolades
  • bestow accolades
  • top accolades
Synonyms
  • award

    broader term; can refer to any prize or grant given for achievement

  • honor

    emphasises the prestige and respect attached to the recognition

  • prize

    often associated with competitions and tangible rewards like money or trophies

  • medal

    a specific type of accolade worn or displayed, often military or sporting

Grammar Patterns

plural form standard

often with possessive determiner

Usage Note

Like sense 1, almost always plural. The singular 'accolade' is occasionally used when referring to a single specific award: 'The Nobel Prize is the highest accolade a scientist can receive.'

Common Mistakes

She won an accolades for her painting.
She won an accolade for her painting.' or 'She won accolades for her painting.
When referring to a single item, use the singular form; when generalising, use plural.
He received many accolade.
He received many accolades.
The plural form must take the -s ending.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All four words describe positive recognition, but they differ in formality, scope, and context. 'Praise' is the most general and can be used in everyday conversation ('her boss praised her teamwork'), while 'accolades' carries a more formal, public tone. 'Acclaim' is specifically about enthusiastic public approval, often from audiences or critics ('the film won critical acclaim'). 'Commendation' is more official — it is used for written statements of approval from authorities or institutions ('a commendation from the fire department'). 'Tribute' focuses on the act of showing respect or gratitude, often in a ceremonial setting ('a tribute to fallen soldiers'). In short: praise is everyday admiration, acclaim is public enthusiasm, commendation is official recognition, and tribute is a ceremonial gesture of respect.

praise ↗acclaim ↗commendation ↗tribute ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • film accolades
  • industry accolades
  • career accolades
  • military accolades
  • academic accolades

Adverbs

  • critical accolades
  • widespread accolades
  • international accolades
  • public accolades
  • glowing accolades

Phrases

  • win accolades
  • earn accolades
  • receive accolades
  • collect accolades
  • heap accolades on
  • bestow accolades upon
  • garner accolades

Prepositions

  • accolades for
  • accolades from

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchMiddle FrenchEnglish

The word 'accolade' entered English in the 16th century from French 'accolade', meaning 'an embrace', which itself came from the Latin 'ad-' ('to') plus 'collum' ('neck'). In medieval times, an accolade was the ceremonial tap on the shoulder with a sword when a person was knighted. Over the centuries, the meaning broadened from the knighthood ceremony itself to any honor or award, and later to verbal praise and approval.