medal
0 antonyms and opposites of medal, grouped by meaning.
Noun — A flat metal disc awarded as a prize or honor, often for achievement or bravery.
How to use medal
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Italian medaglia, originally meaning "half a denarius" (a Roman coin), from Late Latin mediālis ("middle").
Full origin of medal →Frequently asked questions
What does “medal” mean?
The word “medal” means a flat metal disc awarded as a prize or honor, often for achievement or bravery. In plain terms, a metal disc given as an award, or, as a verb, to win one.
How do you pronounce “medal”?
“Medal” is pronounced MEHD ([ˈmɛɾ.ɫ̩] in IPA).
How do you use “medal” in a sentence?
Here is “medal” used in a sentence: “She won a gold medal in the 200-meter sprint.”
What part of speech is “medal”?
Depending on how it is used, “medal” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “medal” come from?
The word “medal” comes from Late Latin. From Italian medaglia, originally meaning "half a denarius" (a Roman coin), from Late Latin mediālis ("middle").
Is “medal” a common word?
“Medal” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “medal” have?
“Medal” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a flat metal disc awarded as a prize or honor, often for achievement or bravery.
Is medal a verb, as in she medaled at the Olympics?
Yes. "To medal" means to win a medal in a competition, and it is well established in sports reporting: "She medaled in three events." British English usually doubles the l in the past tense ("medalled"), while American English writes "medaled." Some style guides still treat the verb as informal, so formal writing may prefer "won a medal."
What is the difference between medal, metal, meddle, and mettle?
These four sound alike in many accents but mean different things. A medal is a flat metal disc awarded as a prize or honour; metal is the material itself; to meddle is to interfere in other people's business; and mettle is a person's courage or resilience. Writing "gold metal" for "gold medal" is one of the most common mix-ups.
What is the difference between a medal and a medallion?
A medal is awarded as a prize or honour, typically for achievement or bravery. A medallion is a larger medal-shaped disc worn as jewellery or used as decoration, and it is not necessarily awarded for anything.
Do you win, take, or get a medal?
The most natural collocation is "win a medal," and sports writing also uses "take" or "claim" a medal, as in "She took bronze." You can also "be awarded a medal," which emphasises the giving of the honour rather than the victory, and athletes are said to "medal in" a particular event.