kudos

USAGE SUMMARY

"kudos" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it when you want to give praise or recognition to someone for an accomplishment. Example sentence: "I want to give special kudos to Team 4 for their hard work on completing this project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was only a few years later that I first met him and can make the claim to the second-hand kudos of having known him for rather longer and perhaps slightly better than most sports writers.

The Guardian - Sport

He wasn't looking for kudos and insisted on a similar attitude from everyone involved, no matter how stellar.

The Guardian - Film

Given the kudos he gets when politically controversial conviction rates go up, you would think that the director of public prosecutions, Keir Starmer, would be delighted that fewer cases were being referred to his team, possibly suggesting that they are the cases police consider most likely to succeed.

The Guardian

(Ironically, as Dunbar pointed out, it was Facebook that first gave him this uninvited kudos).

The Guardian - Tech

The minister for finance, Brian Lenihan, seized an opportunity to win back some kudos from a public outraged over the behaviour of the country's banks.

The Guardian

We are in a particularly strong position here given that our decisions could have the effect of redirecting a significant number of students, income, and kudos away from [this event] and towards other kinds of experiences and discussions.

The Guardian - Opinion

They come to the Donmar for kudos or to reinvent their careers.

The Guardian - Film

Despite their perilous state, the two Express titles still have some kudos as a brand, so I imagine someone would buy them – but, doubtless, not at the kind of price Desmond would wish.

The Guardian

"This one's for everyone in this tent, no-one outside it," he says as introduction to There Is A Light That Never Goes Out, his cultish kudos re-established even while playing a song as ubiquitous as naked Gaga flesh.

The Guardian - Music

Clever move, Dot, although I'm still not sure what side he's really playing for (kudos to the commenter who suggested he's trying to slide into Hastings' shoes, though – that may well be correct).

The Guardian - TV & Radio

For too long in the black community, we have given exaggerated kudos to those of us who are seen as 'special' - the rappers, sprinters, footballers, boxers, actors.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "kudos" to acknowledge specific achievements or contributions, especially when recognizing effort that goes above and beyond. For example, "Kudos to the marketing team for exceeding their sales targets this quarter."

Common error

While "kudos" looks like a plural word, it's often used as a singular noun. Avoid using "kudoses". Instead, use "kudos" followed by "to" and the person or group you're recognizing.

How to use

Learn how to use "kudos" with practical examples and tips.

How to use

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "kudos" is that of a noun, often used to express praise or admiration for an achievement. Ludwig examples showcase its use in contexts where recognition is given for accomplishments. Ludwig AI confirms that this is a correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "kudos" functions primarily as a noun to express praise and recognition, appearing most frequently in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science contexts. As affirmed by Ludwig AI, its usage is grammatically correct, with a neutral formality level fitting various professional and public communications. While generally treated as singular, context dictates its application. When aiming for alternatives, consider "praise", "recognition", and "accolades" depending on the specific shade of meaning you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

praise

A general term for expressing approval or admiration. It's less specific than "kudos" but widely applicable.

accolades

Similar to "kudos", but often implies a formal award or honor.

recognition

Focuses on acknowledging someone's achievements rather than explicitly praising them.

congratulations

Directly expresses pleasure at someone's success, often used in personal contexts.

commendation

A more formal expression of praise, often used in official settings.

applause

Indicates approval or enjoyment, often expressed through clapping.

credit

Highlights the deserving of recognition or acknowledgement for contribution.

tribute

An act, statement, or gift that is intended to show gratitude, respect, or admiration.

plaudits

Similar to accolades, indicating approval or praise.

cheers

Expresses encouragement and support, less formal than "kudos".

FAQs

How do you use "kudos" in a sentence?

You can use "kudos" to express praise or admiration for someone's achievement. For example, "Kudos to the team for their outstanding performance" or "The project received "kudos for its innovation"".

What is a good synonym for "kudos"?

Good synonyms for "kudos" include "praise", "accolades", "recognition", and "congratulations depending on the context".

Is "kudos" singular or plural?

While "kudos" appears to be plural, it is often treated as a singular noun in modern usage. You can say "He received much kudos" or "kudos is due".

Can "kudos" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "kudos" can be used in formal writing, especially when acknowledging achievements or contributions in a professional setting. However, more formal alternatives like "commendation" or "recognition might be preferred in highly formal contexts".