Ellen Goodman
Is kudo a word?: Usage Guide
Some commentators hold that since kudos is a singular word it cannot be used as a plural and that the word kudo is impossible. But kudo does exist; it is simply one of the most recent words created by back-formation from another word misunderstood as a plural. Kudos was introduced into English in the 19th century; it was used in contexts where a reader unfamiliar with Greek could not be sure whether it was singular or plural. By the 1920s it began to appear as a plural, and about 25 years later kudo began to appear. It may have begun as a misunderstanding, but then so did cherry and pea.
Examples of kudo in a Sentence
The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2025
That’s a common kudo for the SCFD, since no other metro area can boast of a similar tax-for-arts program.
—John Wenzel, The Denver Post, 10 Mar. 2025
Download what belongs to you, such as kudos letters and training certificates.
—Amy Lindgren, Twin Cities, 1 Mar. 2025
In Mexico, Azteca 7 and Azteca 13 will air the Hollywood kudos fest, traditionally starting with a preshow, followed by the main Oscars ceremony.
—Georg Szalai, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for kudo
Cite this Entry
“Kudo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kudo. Accessed 28 Mar. 2025.
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