# praise

/ˈpɹeɪz/ (US) · /pɹˈeɪz/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/praise
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. to express approval

verb · CEFR B1

to say that someone or something is very good.

For teachers: to express warm approval or admiration of someone or something. Transitive — requires a direct object.

- The teacher praised the students for their hard work on the project.
- The critics praised the director's innovative use of lighting, noting that it transformed an otherwise conventional script into a visual masterpiece.

Usage: Often used with the preposition 'for' to indicate the reason for the approval.

### 2. to worship

verb · CEFR B2

to show respect and love for a god through words or song.

For teachers: to glorify or express adoration for a deity as an act of worship.

- The congregation gathered to praise God through hymns and prayer.
- The ancient text contains several psalms intended to praise the creator for the abundance of the harvest.

### 3. words of approval

noun · CEFR B1

words that show you admire someone or something.

For teachers: the expression of approval or admiration. Uncountable when referring to the concept; countable when referring to specific instances.

- The young artist received a lot of praise for her first exhibition.
- Despite the widespread praise from the public, the author remained modest about the impact of his latest novel.

## Examples

- The teacher gave her a lot of praise for her hard work.
- The young musician received high praise from critics after his debut performance at the national theater.
- While the architect appreciated the public praise for the building's aesthetic, she remained more concerned with its functional longevity and environmental impact.

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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.