Kudos: Meaning and Usage
“Kudos” is a noun for praise, admiration or recognition earned through an achievement. Cambridge marks it uncountable, an important usage detail for writers deciding how to fit the word into a sentence.
“Kudos” means praise or admiration for an achievement. Cambridge treats it as an uncountable noun, so “kudos to …” is the ordinary pattern when giving someone credit.
Key details
Choose the right form
| Pattern | Use | Note |
|---|---|---|
| kudos to + person/group | give praise or credit | Natural way to direct recognition. |
| earn/receive kudos | describe praise received | Treat “kudos” as an uncountable noun. |
| a kudo | ordinary edited usage | Avoid as a manufactured singular when the intended word is the established uncountable noun. |
Quick tests
Countability test
Are you trying to give or describe praise for an achievement?
If yes: Use “kudos” as the established uncountable noun, often in “kudos to …”.
If no: Choose a more specific noun if you mean an individual award, compliment, or point.
Caveat: Do not infer a regular singular/plural pair from the final -s.
Examples
Kudos to the support team for resolving the outage quickly.
“Kudos to …” naturally directs praise.
She received kudos for the redesign.
The noun works without an article or regular plural contrast.
Further guidance
Form Note
The dictionary treatment is uncountable; the useful writing decision is how to use the established noun, not how to manufacture a regular singular/plural pair.
Meaning
Use “kudos” when you mean praise or credit for something successfully done; “kudos to the team” is a natural way to direct that praise.
Usage Boundary
Cambridge labels “kudos” uncountable, so this guide does not teach “a kudo” as the ordinary singular counterpart.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- kudos — Cambridge Dictionary (opens in a new tab)Cambridge University Press & Assessment · Kudos as uncountable praise or admiration for an achievement