Word of the Day - 08/25/26
kudos
/'kudoʊz/(n.): an expression of approval and commendation
The chef received kudos from the food critics for his innovative new menu.
Word Origin
The word 'kudos' originates from Ancient Greek, specifically from the singular noun κῦδος (kydos), meaning 'glory, renown, fame, or praise.' In English, it is often mistakenly treated as a plural, but its Greek source is grammatically singular. A true plural for 'kudos' would be 'kudea' if also borrowed straight from the Greek.
While 'kudos' is a direct borrowing, other words share a similar deeper etymological root. For instance, the Greek word κλέος (kleos), also meaning 'glory' or 'fame,' which appears in names like Cleopatra (meaning 'glory of her father'), shares a common Proto-Indo-European root (*ḱlew-) with κῦδος. Both roots relate to the concept of being 'heard' or 'famous,' thus indicating a shared ancient lineage connected to renown.