laurel

¹

[ lawr-uhl, lor- ]

noun

1. Also called bay, sweet bay. a small European evergreen tree, Laurus nobilis, of the laurel family, having dark, glossy green leaves. Compare laurel family.
2. any tree of the genus Laurus.
3. any of various similar trees or shrubs, as the mountain laurel or the great rhododendron.
4. the foliage of the laurel as an emblem of victory or distinction.
5. a branch or wreath of laurel foliage.
6. Usually laurels. honor won, as for achievement in a field or activity.

   Synonyms: praise, renown, fame, glory

verb (used with object)

, lau·reled, lau·rel·ing or (especially British) lau·relled, lau·rel·ling.

1. to adorn or wreathe with laurel.
2. to honor with marks of distinction.

Laurel

²

[ lawr-uhl, lor- ]

noun

1. Stan Arthur Stanley Jefferson, 1890–1965, U.S. motion-picture actor and comedian, born in England.
2. a city in SE Mississippi.
3. a town in central Maryland.
4. a female given name.

laurel

/ ˈlɒrəl /

noun

1. Also calledbaytrue laurel any lauraceous tree of the genus Laurus , such as the bay tree (see bay4 ) and L. canariensis , of the Canary Islands and Azores
2. any lauraceous plant
3. short for cherry laurel mountain laurel
4. spurge laurel
   a European thymelaeaceous evergreen shrub, Daphne laureola, with glossy leaves and small green flowers
5. spotted laurel or Japan laurel
   an evergreen cornaceous shrub, Aucuba japonica, of S and SE Asia, the female of which has yellow-spotted leaves
6. plural a wreath of true laurel, worn on the head as an emblem of victory or honour in classical times
7. plural honour, distinction, or fame
8. look to one's laurels
   to be on guard against one's rivals
9. rest on one's laurels
   to be satisfied with distinction won by past achievements and cease to strive for further achievements

verb

1. tr to crown with laurels

Other Words From

• un·laureled adjective
• un·laurelled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of laurel¹

1250–1300; dissimilated variant of Middle English laurer, earlier lorer < Anglo-French; Old French lorier bay tree, equivalent to lor bay, laurel (< Latin laurus ) + -ier -ier ²; -er ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of laurel¹

C13 lorer, from Old French lorier laurel tree, ultimately from Latin laurus

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. look to one's laurels, to be alert to the possibility of being excelled or surpassed:

   New developments in the industry are forcing long-established firms to look to their laurels.

2. rest on one's laurels, to be content with one's past or present honors, achievements, etc.:

   He retired at the peak of his career and is resting on his laurels.

More idioms and phrases containing laurel

see look to one's laurels ; rest on one's laurels .

Example Sentences

"Despite Wiltshire's reputation as a safe county", he urged people not to "rest on our laurels", warning that children in Wiltshire are being exploited.

From BBC

O'Neill has confirmed she has accepted an invitation and will lay a laurel wreath at the Cenotaph at Belfast City Hall on Sunday in her role as first minister.

From BBC

On 1 July 2002 he laid a laurel wreath at the monument, two hours ahead of the main council ceremony to commemorate the anniversary of the Battle of the Somme.

From BBC

Returning to the trail, with its soothing chorus of crickets, velvety laurel sumac shrubs and feathery wild grasses, something inside me loosened.

From Los Angeles Times

O'Neill has confirmed she has accepted an invitation and she will lay a laurel wreath at the Cenotaph on Sunday in her role as first minister.

From BBC

More About Laurel

What does laurel mean?

A laurel is a type of tree with dark, glossy green leaves. In Ancient Greece and Rome, laurel leaves were used to make wreaths that were worn on a person’s head to symbolize victory—like that leaf crown that Caesar is always wearing in statues. Today, we use the word laurels to mean honors.

When used this way, it is almost always plural.

Example: After a 50-year career, I have many laurels, but I’m most proud of my beautiful family.

Where does laurel come from?

Laurel has been used in English for the name of a tree since at least the 1300s. The word ultimately derives from laurus, which was the name of the tree in Latin.

In terms of trees, laurel most commonly refers to the species Laurus nobilis, also called true laurel, bay laurel, or sweet bay laurel. Notably, the leaves of the bay laurel, called bay leaves, are used in cooking to flavor dishes. But there are many other trees that can be called laurels. The laurel family includes the avocado tree and the tree whose bark gives us cinnamon.

However, it was the leaves of the true laurel that were used in ancient times to make wreaths worn as a sign of triumph. The practice started with Greek mythology. Long story short: the nymph Daphne got turned into a laurel tree, so the god Apollo turned it into an evergreen and made a wreath out of its leaves to honor her. The laurel wreath became associated with poets and eventually became a symbol of victory—ancient Olympians were honored with leaf crowns. It is still used as a symbol on flags and crests (much like how the olive branch is used as a symbol of peace). Today, we use laurels to mean “honors,” especially for an achievement in a particular field or activity, as in There are few laurels that she has not achieved in the literary world. Less commonly, laurel can be used as a verb meaning “to crown with laurels” or “to honor.”

Someone who has been honored in a certain way is sometimes called a laureate, as in poet laureate and Nobel laureate. Laurel is often used in the phrase rest on one’s laurels, meaning “to rely on one’s past accomplishments and honors without continuing to try to perform at a high level.” Another idiom, look to one’s laurels, means “to be on guard against one’s rivals.”

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to laurel?

 

• unlaureled (adjective)

 

What are some synonyms for laurel?

• honor
• accolade
• award
• bay
• sweet bay

What are some words that share a root or word element with laurel? 

• laureate

What are some words that often get used in discussing laurel?

 

• tree
• leaf
• wreath
• branch
• victory
• achievement
• Daphne
• Apollo

How is laurel used in real life?

Laurels are honors, and they are often discussed in the context of the awards someone has won over a distinguished career. There are many different trees that can be called laurel, but the word most often refers to the bay laurel.

101 congratulations to all our CWG champions.Your hard work & various sacrifices have brought laurels to our nation.U make us proud!!!

— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) October 15, 2010

Some actors are content to rest on their laurels. Well, I’m here to tell you:

I. Don’t. Have. Any. Laurels.

— (((Josh Malina))) (@JoshMalina) November 28, 2019

Oh how I miss those mountains, when the laurels are in bloom. And the southern stars are dancing ‘round the North Carolina Moon

— Scotty McCreery (@ScottyMcCreery) July 24, 2014

 

 

Try using laurel!

True or False? 

Laurel wreaths are no longer used as a symbol of victory.