# homage

/ˈɑmədʒ/ (US) · /hˈɒmɪdʒ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/homage
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. a tribute or show of respect

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

something you do or say to show that you admire someone very much.

For teachers: 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'.

### 3. feudal oath

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Technical

in history, a formal promise of loyalty made by a worker to a lord.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- The director's new film is a beautiful homage to classic Hollywood.
- The young musician performed a moving homage to her mentor during the award ceremony.
- The architect designed the building as a subtle homage to the modernist movement, incorporating clean lines and functional spaces that mirrored the work of his predecessors.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.