ENGLISH
REFERENCE

dedication

n. C / U
C1 Advanced Oxford US //ˌdɛdəˈkeɪʃən// UK //dˌɛdɪkˈeɪʃən// ded·i·ca·tion

n. the hard work and effort you put into something because you care about it very much. It also means a short note at the start of a book thanking someone.

n. the quality of being committed to a task or purpose; also, an inscription at the beginning of a literary or artistic work as a tribute to a person.


SIMPLE

Her dedication to her studies helped her pass the exam.

CONTEXTUAL

The athlete's success is a result of years of intense training and total dedication to his sport.

COMPLEX

The author included a touching dedication to her parents in the front of the novel, acknowledging their unwavering support throughout her writing career.

Synonyms
Origin

Originated 1350–1400 from Middle English dedicacioun, from Old French dedicacion (“consecration of a church or chapel”), from Latin dēdicātiō, equivalent to dēdicātus+-iōn.

Usage

Uncountable when referring to the quality of commitment; countable when referring to the written tribute in a book.

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