What does "accolade" mean?
An expression of approval; praise.
Accolade
/ˈæk.əˌleɪd/ noun, verb
noun, verb ·Moderate ·College level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: An expression of approval; praise.
- Grammar: accolade is listed as noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: award, honor, acclaim, adulation.
- Useful contrasts: censuring, condemn, criticism.
- Usage evidence: Although she was merited with many an accolade, we still don’t know what she did to deserve them.
How to use "accolade"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "accolade" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "accolade" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "accolade" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "accolade" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "accolade" is acting as noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "award" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "accolade", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 An expression of approval; praise.
- 2 a tangible symbol signifying approval or distinction wordnet
- 3 A special acknowledgment; an award.
"This film is likely to pick up major accolades."
- 4 An embrace of greeting or salutation.
"[…] for the tears stood in the old gentleman's eyes, when, having first shaken Edward heartily by the hand in the English fashion, he embraced him a-la-mode Françoise, and kissed him on both sides of the face; while the hardness of his gripe, and the quantity of Scotch snuff which his accolade communicated, called corresponding drops of moisture to the eyes of his guest."
- 5 A salutation marking the conferring of knighthood, consisting of an embrace or a kiss, and a slight blow on the shoulders with the flat of a sword. historical
"“Rise, Sir Miles Hendon, Knight,” said the King, gravely—giving the accolade with Hendon’s sword—“rise, and seat thyself. Thy petition is granted. Whilst England remains, and the crown continues, the privilege shall not lapse.”"
Show 4 more definitions
- 6 A brace used to join two or more staves.
- 7 A written presidential certificate recognizing service by military personnel or civilians serving the US armed forces who died or were wounded in action between 1917 and 1918, or who died in service between 1941 and 1947, or died of wounds received in Korea between June 27, 1950 and July 27, 1954. US
- 8 An ornament composed of two ogee curves meeting in the middle, each concave toward its outer extremity and convex toward the point at which it meets the other.
- 9 Synonym of curly bracket.
Verb
- 1 To embrace or kiss in salutation. transitive
- 2 To confer a knighthood on. historical, transitive
- 3 To confer praise or awards on. transitive
"an accoladed novel"
Antonyms
Example
"Although she was merited with many an accolade, we still don’t know what she did to deserve them."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "accolade"?
Common synonyms include: award, honor, acclaim, adulation, apotheosis, appreciation.
How do you use "accolade" in a sentence?
Although she was merited with many an accolade, we still don’t know what she did to deserve them.
How do you pronounce "accolade"?
Pronounced /ˈæk.əˌleɪd/.
Etymology
First use appears c. 1591 in the publications of Thomas Lodge, borrowed from French accolade, from Occitan acolada (“an embrace”), from acolar (“to embrace”), from Italian accollato, from Vulgar Latin *accollō (“to hug around the neck”), from Latin ad- + collum (“neck”) (English collar).