laurel
C1Formal/Literary
Definition
Meaning
A small evergreen tree with dark green glossy leaves, or a wreath made from its branches; used as a symbol of victory or achievement.
Honour or distinction awarded for a significant achievement, particularly in the arts, academia, or competition.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word is most often used in its plural form 'laurels', especially in metaphorical expressions ('rest on one's laurels'). The singular can refer to the plant or the honour.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Spelling is identical. The plant species (Prunus laurocerasus) known as 'cherry laurel' is common in both UK and US gardening.
Connotations
In both varieties, connotations of classical achievement, victory, and sometimes complacency. Slightly archaic/formal tone.
Frequency
Low frequency in everyday speech in both regions. More common in written English, historical/literary contexts, and figurative idioms.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
rest on one's laurelswin laurels for somethingbe crowned/wreathed with laurelsVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “rest on one's laurels”
- “look to one's laurels”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rarely used. Possibly in metaphorical warning against complacency: 'The market leader cannot rest on its laurels.'
Academic
Used in classical studies, history, literature. Can describe academic honours metaphorically.
Everyday
Very low usage. Most likely encountered in the idiom 'rest on one's laurels'.
Technical
In botany/horticulture to refer to plants of the genera Laurus, Prunus, or Kalmia.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- She was laurelled by the university for her contributions to science.
American English
- The poet was laureled with numerous awards in her lifetime.
adverb
British English
- (No standard adverbial form; extremely rare/archaic)
American English
- (No standard adverbial form; extremely rare/archaic)
adjective
British English
- The laurel crown was a symbol of imperial victory.
American English
- He received the laurel wreath after winning the marathon.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The ancient Greeks gave laurel wreaths to the winners of games.
- We have a large laurel bush in our garden.
- After his first successful novel, he was careful not to rest on his laurels.
- The scholar's laurels were well-deserved after decades of research.
- The committee warned the incumbent party against complacency, urging them not to rest on their electoral laurels.
- Her groundbreaking thesis earned her the laurels of the academic community.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
LAUREL = Leaves Are Used Rewarding Excellent Leaders. Think of a winner wearing a leafy crown.
Conceptual Metaphor
ACHIEVEMENT IS A CROWN OF LEAVES / SUCCESS IS A PLANT (to rest on one's laurels implies success has been 'harvested' and one is sitting on it).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid confusing with 'лавровый лист' (bay leaf) only in a culinary sense. In English, 'laurel' is not typically a cooking ingredient; the spice is called 'bay leaf'. The Russian 'лавр' (honour) is a direct cognate, but the English idioms are fixed.
- The phrase 'почивать на лаврах' translates directly to 'rest on one's laurels'.
- The plant 'лавровишня' is 'cherry laurel'.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect singular/plural: *'He is resting on his laurel.' (Correct: '...laurels.')
- Misspelling: *'loral', *'laurel'.
- Confusing 'laurel' (the tree/honour) with 'laureate' (the person honoured).
Practice
Quiz
What does the idiom 'look to your laurels' mean?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
They come from the same plant (Laurus nobilis). 'Bay leaf' refers specifically to the dried leaf used as a culinary herb. 'Laurel' refers to the living plant, its leaves as a symbol, or the metaphorical honour.
It comes from the Old French 'lorier' (laurel tree), from Latin 'laurus'.
An official poet appointed by a government or institution, originally crowned with a laurel wreath. The title uses the Latin adjective 'laureatus' meaning 'crowned with laurel'.
Yes, but it is very rare and formal/archaic. It means to crown or wreathe with laurel as an honour, or to honour publicly.