Word
homage
US/ˈɑmədʒ/
UK/hˈɒmɪdʒ/
Definitions
01a tribute or show of respect
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Formal
n. something you do or say to show that you admire someone very much.
n. a public demonstration of respect or dedication, often performed to honor a person's legacy or achievements.
“The new library was built as a homage to the local poet who died last year.”
“The ceremony served as a moving homage to the retiring professor, whose research had fundamentally reshaped the department over four decades.”
Usage
Often used with the verb 'pay' as in 'to pay homage to someone'.
Antonyms
02feudal oath
C2 · Proficiency Uncountable noun Law Archaic · Technical
n. in history, a formal promise of loyalty made by a worker to a lord.
n. the formal ceremony or oath by which a vassal declared himself to be the man of his lord and promised him loyalty.
“The knight knelt before the king to perform his act of homage.”
“The historical record details the specific rituals of homage required of a tenant-in-chief upon inheriting his father's lands.”
Teaching tip
This sense is strictly historical; modern learners will almost exclusively encounter the 'tribute' or 'artistic' senses.
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“Younger stars queued up to pay homage of one kind or another.” “This is not the only floodlight-inspired design; Nike paid homage to VfL Bochum’s floodlights in 2020-21 – but at least their stadium’s massive pylons are a genuine symbol of the city.” Etymology
From Middle English homage, from Old French homage, hommage, from Medieval Latin homināticum (“homage, the service of a vassal or 'man'”), from Latin homō (“a man, in Medieval Latin a vassal”) + -āticum (noun-forming suffix). The American pronunciations in /-ɑːʒ/ and with silent h are due to confusion with the nearly synonymous doublet hommage, which is indeed pronounced /oʊˈmɑːʒ/.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Idioms
01. pay homage to
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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