laudable
Americanadjective
-
deserving praise; praiseworthy; commendable.
Reorganizing the files was a laudable idea.
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Medicine/Medical Obsolete. healthy; wholesome; not noxious.
adjective
Other Word Forms
- laudability noun
- laudableness noun
- laudably adverb
- unlaudable adjective
- unlaudableness noun
- unlaudably adverb
Etymology
Origin of laudable
First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English word from Latin word laudābilis. See laud, -able
Explanation
Use the word laudable to describe something that deserves praise or admiration, like your laudable efforts to start a recycling program at your school. When you break apart the word laudable, you can see the verb laud, meaning praise or acclaim, followed by the suffix -able, which is a tip-off that this word is an adjective. So laudable describes things that are worthy of praise, such as a laudable effort to end poverty, and it can also describe admirable ideas or beliefs, such as a laudable compassion for others.
Vocabulary lists containing laudable
Grade 11, List 1
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The Tragedy of Macbeth
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100 SAT Words Beginning with "J," "K," and "L"
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
That his work has become commercially iconic is undeniable; whether that’s a laudable artistic legacy to leave behind is a different question.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026
The word cure, Richardson says, is far-reaching, and while very laudable as a goal, doesn’t capture the current reality.
From Slate • Mar. 29, 2026
Having many high school athletes end their season as champions is laudable.
From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 29, 2025
In mitigation, defence barrister Philip Wright told the court his actions may seem "unfathomable" given the "laudable and noble" features of his political life.
From BBC • Nov. 21, 2025
This laudable decision would have succeeded if he had not erred in his other moves.
From "The Prince" by Niccolò Machiavelli
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
