Word: kudos (noun)

Associations

• "Kudos" means praise or respect you get for an achievement or good work.
• It is often used to recognize someone's success or effort.
• Examples:
  • "Kudos to you for finishing the project on time." (You are praised for your work.)
  • "She received kudos from her teacher for excellent homework." (She got respect for good work.)
  • "The team got kudos after winning the championship." (The team was praised for winning.)
• Synonym: "praise." Difference: "Kudos" is often more informal and sometimes suggests public recognition, while "praise" is more general and can be formal or informal.

Substitution

• You can use "praise," "compliments," "congratulations," or "props" instead of "kudos."
• Example changes:
  • "Praise to you for finishing the project." (More formal)
  • "Congrats on your success!" (More casual and common)
  • "Props for a job well done." (Very informal)

Deconstruction

• "Kudos" comes from Greek κῦδος (kydos), meaning "glory" or "renown."
• It is singular in Greek but used as singular or plural in English.
• No prefix or suffix in English; it is a loanword.

Inquiry

• When have you received kudos for something you did?
• How would you give kudos to a friend who helped you?
• Can "kudos" be used in a formal letter or only in casual talk? Why?