Revised as of
2 Dec 2022
The words in this word confusion laudable versus laudatory are both adjectives and both about praise. The only difference is whether it’s applied or something written or spoken.
Laudable, in the current time period, is praiseworthy, applying to a person, thing, or event receiving the praise.
Laudatory describes written or spoken praise.
Word Confusions . . .
. . . started as my way of dealing with a professional frustration with properly spelled words that were out of context in manuscripts I was editing as well as books I was reviewing. It evolved into a sharing of information with y’all. I’m hoping you’ll share with us words that have been a bête noire for you from either end.
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| Laudable | Laudatory |
|---|---|
Hands Clapping is Evan-Amos‘s is under the CC BY-SA 3.0 license, via Wikimedia Commons. — Clapping expresses praise for someone’s actions. |
Silver Laudatory verso Samuel Plimsoll by Clipper is under the CC BY-SA 3.0 license, via Wikimedia Commons. — A written expression of praise. |
| Part of Grammar: | |
| Adjective | Adjective |
| [Of an action, idea, or goal] Deserving praise and commendation
[Medicine/Medical; obsolete] Healthy
|
[Of speech or writing] Expressing or containing praise and commendation |
| Examples: | |
| Laudable though the aim might be, the results have been criticized.
Perfection is a laudable aim in sport but rarely, if ever, is it attainable. The doctor examined the laudable juices of the body. Certainly, efforts to improve transparency and empower students are laudable. But, as laudable as these are, you might argue that they are secondary to a larger problem. |
She wrote enthusiastic and laudatory articles.
He was overwhelmed by the speaker’s laudatory remarks. He didn’t want his 50th jubilee to be celebrated at all, let alone celebrated with the customary pompous laudatory speeches. Many laudatory speeches during birthday parties and eulogies during funerals simply skip over this time and construct biographical outlines without these years. Here’s a sampling of laudatory comments culled from the archives. |
| Derivatives: | |
| Adjective: unlaudable Adverb: laudably Noun: laudability, laudableness, unlaudableness |
Adjective: overlaudatory, unlaudable, self-laudatory, unlaudative Adverb: laudably, laudatorily Noun: laudability, laudableness, unlaudableness |
| History of the Word: | |
| Late Middle English from the Latin laudabilis, from laus, laud- meaning praise. | Mid-16th century from the late Latin laudatorius, from laudat- meaning praised, from the verb laudare, both from Latin laus, laud- meaning praise. |
C’mon, get it out of your system, bitch, whine, moan . . . which words are your pet peeves? Also, please note that I try to be as accurate as I can, but mistakes happen or I miss something. Email me if you find errors, so I can fix them . . . and we’ll all benefit!
Satisfy your curiosity about other Word Confusions on its homepage or more generally explore the index of self-editing posts. You may also want to explore Book Layout & Formatting Ideas, Formatting Tips, Grammar Explanations, Linguistics, Publishing Tips, the Properly Punctuated, Writing Ideas and Resources, and Working Your Website.
Resources for Laudable versus Laudatory
Apple Dictionary.com
Cambridge Dictionary.org: laudable
Dictionary.com: laudable, laudatory
Lexico.com: laudable, laudatory
Pinterest Photo Credits:
Dinner with Bill Clinton by Steve Jurvetson is under the CC BY 2.0 license, via Flickr.
