laureate
C1Formal, literary, academic
Definition
Meaning
A person who has been honoured for outstanding achievement, especially in the arts or sciences, often with the award of a laurel wreath symbolically or figuratively.
Specifically used as an official title for someone holding a high honorary office linked to distinction, such as a poet laureate or Nobel laureate.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Most commonly used as a noun following an identifying noun (e.g., poet laureate, Nobel laureate). The term implies a high, often public, level of recognition.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning or use. The title 'Poet Laureate' exists in both the UK and US, though the roles differ.
Connotations
Both varieties carry strong connotations of prestige, academic or artistic excellence, and public honour.
Frequency
Low frequency in everyday speech in both regions, restricted largely to formal and news contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[be] laureate in [field][be] appointed (as) [Poet] Laureate[be] awarded the title of laureateVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “rest on one's laurels (to be satisfied with past achievements and stop trying)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, except in contexts like 'Nobel laureate in economics' or corporate awards named after laureates.
Academic
Very common, especially regarding Nobel laureates, Fields Medal laureates, and similar high academic honours.
Everyday
Very rare; would typically be understood in news about major awards.
Technical
Used in specific award-granting institutions and official announcements.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He was laureated with great ceremony at the palace.
American English
- She was laureated by the foundation for her lifetime contributions.
adjective
British English
- The laureate poet read a new work commissioned for the Jubilee.
American English
- The laureate scientist delivered the keynote address at the conference.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The Nobel laureate visited our school.
- A poet laureate writes poems for special national events.
- After winning the prestigious award, she joined the ranks of Nobel laureates in physics.
- The newly appointed poet laureate has vowed to make poetry more accessible to the public, eschewing the elitism often associated with the role.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a laurel wreath (like the ones in ancient Rome) placed on the head of a WINNER. LAUREL + ATE (as in 'someone who ate up the competition' or 'was ate up with honour').
Conceptual Metaphor
ACHIEVEMENT IS A CROWN (laurel wreath as a metaphorical crown of victory).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating directly as 'лавровый' (the plant) when referring to the person. The person is 'лауреат', which is a direct loanword.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'laureate' as a standalone noun without a preceding descriptor (e.g., 'She is a laureate' is vague). Typically, 'Nobel laureate' or 'poet laureate' is used.
- Confusing 'laureate' (person) with 'laurel' (plant).
Practice
Quiz
What is the most typical use of the word 'laureate'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It almost always needs a specifying word before it, like 'Nobel', 'poet', or 'Fields'. 'She is a laureate' is grammatically correct but very vague and uncommon.
It comes from the Latin 'laureatus', meaning 'crowned with laurel'. In ancient Rome, a laurel wreath was a symbol of victory and honour.
No, the roles are similar but distinct. The UK Poet Laureate is traditionally appointed for life by the monarch, while the US Poet Laureate is appointed by the Librarian of Congress for a one-year term, renewable.
'Laureate' is more specific and prestigious, implying a major, often public, honour or award (like a Nobel Prize). 'Winner' is a general term for anyone who wins any competition or prize.