Word
laurel
Phoneticslau·rel, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈɫɔɹəɫ/
UK/lˈɔːɹəl/
Definitions
01the plant
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. a small evergreen tree with smooth, shiny leaves that smell nice.
n. an evergreen shrub or small tree, Laurus nobilis, characterized by aromatic, lanceolate leaves.
“We planted a laurel hedge along the garden fence for privacy.”
“The gardener pruned the laurel carefully to maintain its shape while preserving the aromatic quality of the new growth.”
Synonyms
02symbol of victory
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Literary
n. a circle of leaves worn on the head as a sign of honor or winning.
n. a wreath or crown woven from laurel leaves, traditionally awarded as a mark of distinction or victory.
Español:corona de laurel
“In ancient times, the winner of the race was given a laurel.”
“The poet was depicted in the marble bust wearing a laurel, signifying his status as the nation's preeminent writer.”
03honor or fame
C1 · Advanced Plural noun Literary
n. praise or success that you have earned.
n. honor, distinction, or fame achieved through specific accomplishments; frequently used in the plural.
“The young scientist won many laurels for her groundbreaking research.”
“Despite his many laurels in the field of physics, he remained a remarkably humble man who avoided the spotlight.”
04to honor
C2 · Proficiency Formal · Literary
v. to give someone a special award or honor.
v. to crown with laurel or, by extension, to bestow high honors or distinction upon someone.
“The university decided to laurel the author for his lifetime of work.”
“The committee sought to laurel the diplomat for his tireless efforts in negotiating the peace treaty.”
Antonyms
Usage
Countable when referring to the plant; typically plural ('laurels') when used figuratively to mean honors or achievements.
Real-World Examples
“The hall’s baroque ceiling carries its own coded message, its botanical motifs – oak leaves for strength, laurel wreaths for triumph and palm branches for peace – all tied to themes of healthcare.” “The danger for any team, but particularly one relatively unfamiliar with success, is to rest on its laurels, to be too loyal to those who have brought the long-awaited silverware.” Idioms
Stories
Empire & the Arena · See all Roman origin
Emperors, spectacle, and the machinery of keeping a city entertained.
bread and circuses — Food and entertainment handed out by those in power to keep the public quiet.
circus — a show with performers like clowns and acrobats, or a place where many streets meet; it can also describe a very busy or chaotic situation.
a Roman holiday — Enjoyment taken from watching somebody else suffer.
fiddle while Rome burns — To busy yourself with trivia while a disaster you could be addressing unfolds.
Triumph — a great victory or a very successful result. You use this word when someone wins something difficult or achieves a big goal.
rest on one's laurels — To rely on past success and stop making the effort to keep improving.
Domain
- 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.C2 ProficiencyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.8.5–9.0TOEFL 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: 6.0114–120
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C2 · Proficiency
- Updated
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Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0