noun

accolade

AK-uh-layd/ˈækəleɪd/

An honor or expression of high praise for an achievement.

The scientist receives another accolade for her work on clean water.

A smiling award recipient accepts a gold trophy from a presenter, making the selected award sense of accolade visible without text.

Etymology

acLatinto, toward

+colLatinneck

+adeLatinaction or its result

The neck connection comes from an embrace around the neck associated with conferring knighthood. The name of this ceremonial honor broadened to mean praise, an award, or another mark of approval.

In context

1 Minute 40 Media Ltd2:12

to get the acknowledgement of your peers as is is the ultimate accolade we managed to attract the attention of the head of the Mercedes Classic Center in Germany

Car Dock Classics A short documentary about a Mercedes Pagoda restored by CardockClassics

More examples

Winning the prize was the greatest accolade of her career.
The film collected several international accolades.
She values her mentor's praise above any public accolade.

Forms

accolade · accolades

Similar words

award: Usually a formal prize rather than any expression of praise.
commendation: Explicitly praises merit without necessarily granting an honor.