accolade

USAGE SUMMARY

"accolade" is a correct and usable word in written English.
An accolade is an expression of approval or admiration. You can use it to describe awards, recognition, praise, or any other kind of recognition. Here is an example sentence: The Prime Minister received an accolade from the UN for her work in international diplomacy.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Best I've seen since Roger Byrne," reckoned the Joy of Six's dad's Uncle Mick - not much of an accolade on the face of it, given a period of only ten years, but the comparison was intended as the highest compliment.

The Guardian - Sport

Another year, another flurry of newsmakers, all jostling for the ultimate accolade: to be voted the Guardian's person of the year.

The Guardian

Sports Industry Awards, May 2008 The Guardian and guardian.co.uk have been awarded the Sports Coverage of the Year accolade at the 2008 Sports Industry Awards, for their groundbreaking achievement across newspaper and online platforms in 2007.

The Guardian

The pay-off is spectacular Lake District scenery and the accolade of completing England's newest and highest marathon.

The Guardian - Travel

For someone of Kenwyne's quality to give that kind of accolade just sums him up".

The Guardian - Sport

La Taqueria won the accolade of best burrito in America (and the queues reflect this); it's fine enough, but it's not a real "Mission" burrito – there's no rice in the wrap.

The Guardian - Travel

His rivals weren't even born when he last won the accolade in 1984, but David Bowie saw experience triumph over youth as he was crowned best British male at the Brit awards.

The Guardian - Music

Although we say there's no higher accolade in the the collaboration world than the ampersand, it is possible the slash is an even greater compliment.

The Guardian - Music

An emerging British film-maker will walk the red carpet in Cannes after her graduation work received the ultimate accolade of being picked for the short film competition.

The Guardian - Film

Matt was always a devout Catholic, honoured with a papal knighthood as well as the Queen's accolade in 1968, after his third great team had reached the pinnacle of European Cup success.

The Guardian - Sport

That accolade belongs instead to the shadowy figure of Kathrin Muehlbronner, a polyglot economics graduate of the university of Tübingen who, it is tempting to say, may exert more reactionary influence over Spanish life than any woman since Queen Isabella drove out the Moors, expelled the Jews and put the Inquisition at the centre of the nation more than half a millennium ago.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "accolade" to denote significant recognition or praise, especially in formal contexts. For example, "She received the highest "accolade" for her scientific achievements."

Common error

Avoid using "accolade" in casual conversations. It's more suited for formal settings and written communication.

Linguistic Context

The word "accolade" functions primarily as a noun, referring to an expression of approval or praise. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's frequently employed to describe significant awards or acknowledgments. Examples from Ludwig showcase its use in contexts ranging from sports to the arts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

22%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "accolade" is a versatile noun primarily used to denote praise, awards, or recognition. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's grammatically correct and widely used across various domains, particularly in news, business, and science. Its function is to emphasize the significance of achievements, often in formal contexts. While synonyms like "praise", "award", and "recognition" can be used interchangeably depending on the nuance you intend to convey, "accolade" itself carries a certain weight, signifying noteworthy commendation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

praise

General term for expressing approval or admiration.

award

Specifically refers to a prize or formal recognition.

expression of approval

Focuses on the act of expressing positive sentiment.

recognition

Highlights the acknowledgment of someone's efforts or qualities.

tribute

Implies a formal acknowledgment of someone's merit or achievement.

honor

A broader term encompassing respect and admiration.

commendation

Suggests formal praise or approval.

acclaim

Indicates widespread praise and recognition.

plaudit

Implies enthusiastic praise or applause.

kudos

An informal term for praise and recognition.

FAQs

How to use "accolade" in a sentence?

You can use "accolade" to describe an award, praise, or any form of recognition. For example, "The film received numerous accolades at the film festival."

What can I say instead of "accolade"?

You can use alternatives like "praise", "award", or "recognition" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "accolade" or "accolaid"?

"Accolade" is the correct spelling. "Accolaid" is a misspelling.

What's the difference between "accolade" and "honor"?

"Honor" is a broader term encompassing respect and admiration, while "accolade" specifically refers to an expression of approval or a formal award.