Homage
/ˈhɑːmɪdʒ/
nounB2
Definition
Homage means showing respect and admiration to a person, idea, or thing. It is usually done by actions, words, or ceremonies that recognize the value or importance of what is honored. People give homage to heroes, traditions, or art to express thanks or respect.
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See It in Action
Formal respect or honor shown publicly
- •The ceremony was an homage to the country's founding leaders.
- •The artist’s new painting is an homage to the great masters of the past.
- •The film pays homage to classic movies of the 1950s.
A public act or statement recognizing someone's influence or importance
- •She gave homage to her teacher during the graduation speech.
- •The festival is an homage to the local culture and traditions.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "homage" like "respect," but more formal and often shown publicly or in a special way
- ✓Picture a knight kneeling before a king, showing respect and loyalty—this is a classic image of homage
- ✓It's the feeling when you admire someone so much that you want to honor them openly, like at a ceremony or in a speech
- ✓Sounds like "HOME-ij" → imagine someone bringing a gift to a home to show respect to the owner
- ✓In stories, homage is like when a new artist copies or celebrates the style of a famous artist they admire
- ✓NOT like "compliment" (a simple nice comment), homage is deeper and often involves actions or formal recognition
- ✓NOT like "tribute" (which is very similar), but homage can be more traditional and respectful, sometimes with ceremony
Try Other Words
- •Tribute: an act or statement showing respect or admiration (Use when emphasizing praise or celebration)
- •Salute: a formal sign of respect, often in military or official contexts (Use when the respect is shown by a gesture or formal action)
- •Recognition: acknowledgment of someone's importance or achievement (Use when focusing on admitting someone's value or role)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: (no clear prefix or suffix; the word comes as a whole from another language)
- •Etymology: From Old French "hommage," from Medieval Latin "hominaticum," meaning "relation to a man" or "feudal service"
- •Historical development: Originally used in the Middle Ages when a vassal promised loyalty to a lord; now it means any formal respect or honor
- •Modern usage: Used mainly to describe actions or words that show respect or honor, often in art, ceremonies, or speeches
Reflect & Connect
•How do people show homage in different cultures or countries? Can it be very different?
•Can you think of a time when you gave or received homage? What made it special?
Fill in the blanks
1.The artist’s new work is an homage ___ the painters who inspired her ___ her style.
2.During the ceremony, the speaker paid homage ___ the heroes who fought for freedom.
3.Homage is different from a simple compliment because it usually involves a ___ or public act.
4.When people give homage, they often want to show deep ___ and admiration.
5.The movie includes many scenes that are clear homage ___ famous films from the past.
6.Homage can be shown through words, actions, or even ___ like statues or paintings.
7.Unlike casual praise, homage often happens in a formal ___ or event.