laurel

Meaning

Noun

1. (countable, uncountable) An evergreen shrub of species Laurus nobilis, having aromatic leaves of a lanceolate shape, with clusters of small, yellowish white flowers in their axils.
2. (countable, uncountable) A crown of laurel.
3. (countable, figuratively, in-plural, uncountable) Honor, distinction, fame.
4. (countable, uncountable) Any plant of the family Lauraceae.
5. (countable, uncountable) Any of various plants of other families that resemble laurels.
6. (countable, historical, uncountable) An English gold coin made in 1619, and so called because the king's head on it was crowned with laurel.

Verb

1. (transitive) To decorate with laurel, especially with a laurel wreath.
2. (transitive) To enwreathe.
3. (informal, transitive) To award top honours to.

Synonyms

bay tree

accolade

bay

award

prize

guerdon

reward

honor

premium

bay wreath

citation

sweet bay

medal

laurel wreath

honour

honor honour

bayberry

bay laurel

bay leaf

bonus

glory

laureate

laurels

moon

🌔

trophy

🏆

Laurus nobilis

true laurel

Grecian laurel

laurus nobilis

Translations

laurier

alloro

δάφνη

laurier

Lorbeer

laurel

llorer

lauwer

Lorbeerbaum

Laurus

lauro

laurus

louro

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈlɒɹ.əl/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: laurer

In summary

Inherited from Middle English laurer, laurel, from Anglo-Norman lorer, from Old French lorier, from Vulgar Latin *laurārius, from Latin laurus (“laurel”). Doublet of loureiro.