- Today's Word
Laudatory
LAW-duh-tor-ee
Definition
- (adjective) Expressing praise, admiration, or approval.
Example
The critic’s laudatory review helped propel the new author’s book to bestseller status.
Fun Fact
“Laudatory” comes from the Latin laudare, meaning “to praise,” the same root as “applaud” and “laudable.” The word is often used in formal contexts, such as speeches, reviews, and historical tributes. From glowing award ceremony speeches to heartfelt toasts, laudatory words remind us of the power of recognition and appreciation.
(noun) A form of irony in which a person pretends to refuse or show disinterest in something they actually desire
His accismus was obvious to everyone at the table — he waved off the dessert menu three times before finally ordering the chocolate cake.
Accismus comes directly from the Greek akkismos, meaning “prudery” or “affectation,” derived from Akkō, the name of a foolish woman in Greek legend known for her coy, affected behavior. It entered English as a formal rhetorical term, classified among the figures of speech used in classical oratory and persuasion.