Meaning & use
kudos
Last updated
UK/ˈkjuː.dɒs/
US/ˈkuː.dɑːs/
Meaning
noununcountableapproving
Praise, credit, or prestige given for an achievement, skill, or admirable action.
Grammar: Takes a singular verb and is not counted as one kudos or many kudoses in careful usage.
Patterns
- kudos for something
- give kudos to someone
- earn kudos
- kudos to someone
Kudos for organizing the food drive in one weekend.
The design team earned kudos for its simple solution.
Kudos to everyone who helped clean the park.
Common combinations
- kudos for something
- She received kudos for the quick rescue.
- give kudos to someone
- The coach gave kudos to the substitutes.
- earn kudos
- The app earned kudos for being easy to use.
Synonyms and how they differ
- credit
- Emphasizes recognition for a contribution or responsibility.
- acclaim
- Stronger and more public, often from critics or crowds.
- prestige
- Focuses on status or reputation rather than direct praise.
Opposites
Commonly confused: kudos or kudo?
kudos vs kudo
A singular kudo is a common back-formation, but careful usage keeps kudos uncountable.
Practice
Which option is correct?
Choose one answer.
Kudos is uncountable and takes a singular verb, so “kudos for” is correct. A kudos, kudoses, and many kudos treat it as a countable plural.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “kudos”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.
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