laud
gb/lˈɔd/ us/lˈɔd/
C1
English
Senses
0 senses
Verb
formal
C1
action
1
praise highly, often publicly
To praise someone or something a lot.
Usage pattern:
laud [someone/something] (for [something])
Common mistake:
Learners may use it in casual conversation; in modern English it sounds formal compared with praise.
Synonyms
praise (More common and neutral.)
|
commend (Often used for approving someone’s actions.)
|
extol (Stronger and more literary; emphasizes enthusiastic praise.)
|
applaud (Often implies approval, sometimes metaphorical rather than verbal praise.)
Antonyms
criticize (Express disapproval rather than praise.)
|
condemn (Strongly criticize as wrong or unacceptable.)
Collocations
laud someone for something
|laud an effort
|laud an achievement
|laud a decision
|laud a policy
|publicly laud
|widely lauded
|laud the team
|laud the initiative
|laud someone as a hero
Themes
communication
|emotions
|work
Examples
- The report lauded the firefighters for their quick response.
- Critics lauded her performance as one of the best of the year.
- He was lauded in the press for raising millions for charity.
Learner examples
- People lauded her for her hard work.
- The coach lauded the team after the win.
Verb
literary
C2
action
2
praise God in worship
To praise God in prayer or song.
Usage pattern:
laud [God/the Lord]
Synonyms
glorify (Emphasizes honoring God’s greatness.)
|
praise (More general and much more common.)
Antonyms
blaspheme (Speak about God in a disrespectful way.)
Collocations
laud God
|laud the Lord
|laud and worship
|laud in song
|laud in prayer
Themes
religion
|music
Examples
- The choir lauded God with hymns and psalms.
- The text calls on believers to laud the Lord for his mercy.
Learner examples
- They lauded God in their songs.
Noun
literary
C2
abstract
3
an expression of praise
Words that praise someone or something.
Usage pattern:
give [someone/something] laud
Common mistake:
This noun use is rare in modern English; most speakers say praise or acclaim.
Synonyms
praise (Standard modern word.)
|
acclaim (Often public praise, especially for performance or achievement.)
|
commendation (More formal; often official approval.)
Antonyms
criticism (Negative judgment rather than approval.)
|
censure (Formal, strong disapproval.)
Collocations
win laud
|receive laud
|earn laud
|words of laud
|public laud
Themes
communication
Examples
- The novel won widespread laud from reviewers.
- Her hard work earned her the laud of her colleagues.
Noun
technical
C2
event
4
morning prayer in Divine Office
A church service of morning prayers (usually called Lauds).
Usage pattern:
say/sing Lauds
Synonyms
morning prayer (General term; not specific to the Divine Office tradition.)
Antonyms
Vespers (Evening prayer service rather than morning.)
Collocations
say Lauds
|sing Lauds
|Morning Lauds
|Lauds and Vespers
|the Office of Lauds
Themes
religion
Examples
- The community gathered to sing Lauds at dawn.
- In the monastery, Lauds begins before breakfast.
Grammar
Dictionary form
laud
IPA
GB/lˈɔd/
US/lˈɔd/
Syllables & stress
laud (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (laud)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: laud
- 3rd Person Singular: lauds
- Present Participle: lauding
- Past: lauded
Word family
Forms
lauds
verb
lauding
verb
lauded
verb
Core family
laudable
adjective
laudably
adverb
Advanced or less common
laudatory
adjective C1
laudation
noun
Expressions
laud to the skies
1/lˈɔd tə ðə skˈaɪz/
fixed phrase
literary
praise extravagantly
To praise someone or something a lot.
Examples
- Reviewers lauded the new album to the skies.
- The CEO was lauded to the skies after the company’s turnaround.