laurel

laurel — noun

1. honour and recognition given to someone as a reward for their achievements or co

1.nounB2
Definition

honour and recognition given to someone as a reward for their achievements or contributions, especially in competitive fields such as sports, the arts, or public life

Example

The young pianist won musical laurels at several international competitions before she turned eighteen.

collocation: win laurels

After leading the team to three championships, the coach finally received the laurels he deserved.

passive: receive laurels

Common collocations
  • win laurels
  • earn laurels
  • receive laurels
  • rest on your laurels
  • look to your laurels
  • gain laurels
Synonyms
  • acclaim

    more intense, suggesting loud public approval

  • honour

    wider in scope; can apply to any recognition, not just competitive achievement

  • glory

    stronger, often implying fame and admiration from many people

Antonyms
  • criticism

    negative evaluation of someone's work or achievements

  • disgrace

    loss of honour or respect

Usage Note

Almost always used in the plural form 'laurels' in this sense. The singular 'laurel' for praise is rare and mostly found in fixed phrases such as 'poet laureate' or 'Nobel laureate'.

Common Mistakes

She received much laurel for her work.
She received many laurels for her work.
This sense is nearly always plural.

2. a type of evergreen shrub or small tree with smooth, shiny dark green leaves tha

2.nounB1
Definition

a type of evergreen shrub or small tree with smooth, shiny dark green leaves that stay on the branches all year and small black berry-like fruits

Example

The gardener planted a laurel hedge along the edge for complete privacy all year.

collocation: laurel hedge / row of laurel

Dario picked a few laurel leaves from the tree and dropped them into the soup.

laurel leaves used in cooking

Common collocations
  • laurel hedge
  • laurel bush
  • laurel leaves
  • laurel branch
  • laurel wreath
Synonyms
  • bay tree

    common alternative name for the true laurel used in cooking

  • shrub

    more general term for a woody plant of similar size

Usage Note

Often confused with 'bay laurel' — the leaves of true laurel (Laurus nobilis) are the same bay leaves used in cooking. The term 'laurel' is also used in the common names of many unrelated shrubs and trees, such as 'cherry laurel' and 'spotted laurel'.

Common Mistakes

The chef added laurel to the stew.
The chef added bay leaves to the stew.
In everyday cooking, the dried leaves are called 'bay leaves', not 'laurel'.
Idioms

rest on your laurels

idiom

to be so satisfied with achievements you have already made that you stop making an effort to do anything new or better

Jason had won the race twice, but his coach told him he could not rest on his laurels if he wanted to win again.

The company's founder warned the team not to sit on their laurels after the successful product launch.

look to your laurels

idiom

to be careful not to lose the advantage or success you have, because someone else is getting close to matching your achievements

Minho noticed that younger athletes were catching up fast, so he knew he had to look to his laurels.

With new competitors entering the market, the established brand needs to look to its laurels.

rest/sit on your laurels

idiom

To stop trying to improve or achieve more because you are too pleased with your past success.

After winning the championship, the team rested on their laurels and lost the next season.

Mina refused to sit on her laurels and continued learning new skills every year.

laurel — verb

Word family

  • laurelled
    adjectiveC1
  • laureate
    nounC1
  • laureate
    adjectiveC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All three words describe positive recognition, but they differ in intensity and scope. 'Honour' is the broadest term — it can refer to any award, title, or respectful treatment, from a medal to simply being invited as a guest of honour. 'Acclaim' is more specific and louder: it suggests enthusiastic public approval, often from critics or audiences in the arts. 'Glory' is the strongest of the three, combining fame, admiration, and a sense of lasting achievement — it is used when someone's success is remembered by many people over time. For example, a scientist might receive the honour of a lifetime achievement award; a film director might enjoy critical acclaim for a new movie; but a soldier who saves lives in battle is said to win glory.

acclaim ↗honourglory ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • row of laurel
  • laurel wreath
  • bay laurel
  • cherry laurel

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchMiddle EnglishEnglish

The word 'laurel' comes from the Latin 'laurus', which was the name of the sacred tree of the god Apollo in ancient Rome. From Latin, it passed into Old French as 'laurier', then into Middle English as 'laurer', and the modern English form 'laurel' appeared around the 14th century. The ancient Greeks and Romans used wreaths made from laurel branches to crown victors in athletic games and military commanders celebrating triumphs, which is why the word also developed a figurative meaning of honour and achievement.