laurelled

IPA/lˈɔːɹəld/
IPA/lˈɔːɹəld/

laurelled — noun

1. a small evergreen tree or shrub that has smooth, shiny, dark green leaves and gr

1.nounC1
Definition

a small evergreen tree or shrub that has smooth, shiny, dark green leaves and grows in warm climates, especially around the Mediterranean Sea

Example

The garden club planted a row of laurel bushes along the stone wall.

In Mediterranean gardens, laurel trees are often used as natural fences between houses.

collocation: laurel trees / laurel bushes as hedges

Common collocations
  • laurel bush
  • laurel hedge
  • laurel tree
  • laurel branch
  • laurel shrub
Synonyms
  • bay tree

    another name for the sweet bay laurel, especially in cooking contexts

  • bay laurel

    more specific name for the variety used as a herb

Grammar Patterns

the laurel

a laurel tree

Usage Note

The noun 'laurel' is more common than 'laurelled' for referring to the tree itself. 'Laurelled' appears mainly as an adjective or past participle meaning 'crowned with laurel'. This entry covers the noun senses of 'laurel'.

Common Mistakes

The laurelled in my garden grew very tall.
The laurel in my garden grew very tall.
Use 'laurel' not 'laurelled' for the plant.
I planted a laurelled tree.
I planted a laurel tree.
The noun form is 'laurel', not 'laurelled'.

2. a circular band made from twisted laurel leaves, worn on the head in ancient Gre

2.nounC1
Definition

a circular band made from twisted laurel leaves, worn on the head in ancient Greece and Rome to show victory, honour, or high achievement

Example

The Olympic winner in ancient Greece received a laurel wreath and a hero's welcome.

historical context: ancient Greece / Olympic victor

Diego carefully arranged the laurel leaves into a crown for the school play about Roman emperors.

Common collocations
  • laurel wreath
  • wreath of laurel
  • crowned with laurel
  • wear a laurel wreath
Synonyms

Grammar Patterns

a laurel wreath

a wreath of laurel

crowned with laurel

Usage Note

This sense is almost always used in historical or literary contexts. For modern honours, 'medal', 'trophy', or 'award' is more common.

Common Mistakes

She won a laurel wreath at the science fair.
She won a medal at the science fair.
Laurel wreaths are ancient/historical symbols; use 'medal' or 'award' for modern events.

3. honour, praise, or fame that someone earns by achieving something important — fo

3.nounB2
Definition

honour, praise, or fame that someone earns by achieving something important — for example, winning a competition, completing a difficult project, or making a major contribution in their field

Example

The young scientist won her laurels by discovering a new way to clean ocean plastic.

phrase: win one's laurels

After the team earned their laurels in the tournament, they trained even harder for the next one.

Common collocations
  • earn one's laurels
  • win one's laurels
  • rest on one's laurels
  • look to one's laurels
Synonyms
  • acclaim

    more formal; public praise rather than accumulated honours

  • accolades

    more specific; refers to individual awards or honours

  • distinction

    formal; the quality of being excellent or notable

Antonyms
  • disgrace

    loss of honour or respect

  • shame

    a feeling of dishonour or embarrassment

Grammar Patterns

win one's laurels

rest on one's laurels

earn one's laurels

Usage Note

Almost always used in fixed phrases ('win one's laurels', 'rest on one's laurels', 'earn one's laurels'). The singular 'laurel' in this sense is rare; the plural 'laurels' is the standard form for accumulated achievements.

Common Mistakes

He got a laurel for his work.
He won his laurels through years of hard work.
Use the plural 'laurels' and a set phrase for this meaning.

❌ 'The company rested on their laurels and stopped innovating.' — This is actually CORRECT usage. Keep using 'rest on one's laurels' as a fixed expression.

4. the dried, aromatic leaf of the laurel tree, used whole in cooking to add flavou

4.nounC1
Definition

the dried, aromatic leaf of the laurel tree, used whole in cooking to add flavour to soups, stews, sauces, and meat dishes

Example

The chef added two laurel leaves to the simmering soup for a deeper flavour.

collocation: laurel leaf / bay leaf added to soup or stew

Remember to remove the laurel leaves before serving the sauce — they are too hard to chew.

usage note: remove before serving

Common collocations
  • laurel leaf
  • bay leaf
  • dried laurel
  • add a laurel leaf
  • remove the laurel leaf
Synonyms
  • bay leaf

    the standard modern cooking term for dried laurel leaves

Grammar Patterns

laurel leaf

bay leaf

Usage Note

In modern cooking, the term 'bay leaf' is far more common than 'laurel leaf'. 'Laurel leaves' is used in more formal or traditional recipes. Always remove the whole leaf before eating — it stays tough and can be a choking hazard.

Common Mistakes

I chopped the laurel leaves into the stew.
I added whole laurel leaves to the stew.
Laurel leaves are used whole and removed before serving; they are not chopped or eaten.
Idioms

rest on one's laurels

idiom

to be satisfied with the success you have already achieved and stop making any further effort — often used as a warning or criticism

After winning Best New Artist, the band refused to rest on their laurels and released a second album.

The manager warned the team not to rest on their laurels just because sales were good last quarter.

look to one's laurels

idiom

to make sure you keep your position of success or advantage because someone else is competing with you

The new cafe on the same street serves excellent coffee, so the local shops must look to their laurels.

laurelled — verb

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/3

While all these words describe honour or recognition earned through achievement, they differ in scope and formality. 'Laurels' (as in the plural noun sense) is the most figurative and is almost always used in fixed phrases ('rest on one's laurels', 'win one's laurels'). 'Acclaim' refers to enthusiastic public praise, often from many people, and can be used both as a noun and verb ('critical acclaim'). 'Accolades' are specific awards or honours given individually, such as prizes, titles, or formal recognitions. 'Distinction' is the most formal and can mean either a notable achievement or the quality of being distinguished. 'Glory' is broader, carrying connotations of fame, admiration, and even splendour, often in a military or heroic context. For everyday use, 'acclaim' is the most natural substitute: 'the scientist won acclaim for her discovery' versus 'the scientist won her laurels for the discovery' — the latter sounds more literary or old-fashioned.

acclaim ↗accolades ↗distinction ↗glory ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • laurelled poet
  • laurelled general
  • laurelled head
  • laurelled bust

Adverbs

  • freshly laurelled
  • newly laurelled
  • proudly laurelled

Phrases

  • crowned with laurel
  • decked with laurel
  • wreathed in laurel

Prepositions

  • laurelled with
  • laurelled by
  • laurelled for

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchMiddle EnglishEnglish

The word 'laurel' comes from Latin 'laurus', the name of the laurel tree. In ancient Rome and Greece, wreaths made from the tree's leaves were given to victorious athletes, poets, and military commanders as a symbol of honour. The adjective/verb form 'laurelled' (also spelled 'laureled' in American English) developed in the 14th–15th centuries, meaning 'crowned or decorated with laurel'. Over time, the word took on a figurative meaning: to be 'laurelled' means to be formally recognised or honoured for one's achievements, especially in poetry or the arts.