noun
laurel
LOR-uhl
noun
1
An evergreen shrub with glossy, aromatic leaves, or a wreath made from its branches.
"Ancient Greek athletes were crowned with a laurel wreath."
2
Honor, distinction, or praise earned through achievement.
"The director has earned many laurels for her latest film."
How to Use Laurel
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe plant used in ancient wreaths of honor, and by extension, the praise or fame those wreaths symbolize.
Common mistake
"Rest on one's laurels" means to stop trying because of past success — it is always used critically, not as praise.
Common pairings
rest on one's laurels
laurel wreath
win laurels
Word Forms
laureled past tense, laurelled past tense, laurels plural, Laurels plural, laurels singular
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “laurel”
A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage
→
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
Ancient Greek athletes were crowned with a _____ wreath.
Etymology
From Old French lorier, ultimately from Latin laurus, "laurel."