laurel
6 synonyms for laurel, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — An evergreen shrub with glossy, aromatic leaves, or a wreath made from its branches.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use laurel
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
rest on one's laurels
laurel wreath
win laurels
Etymology
From Old French lorier, ultimately from Latin laurus, "laurel."
Full origin of laurel →Frequently asked questions
What does “laurel” mean?
The word “laurel” means an evergreen shrub with glossy, aromatic leaves, or a wreath made from its branches. In plain terms, the plant used in ancient wreaths of honor, and by extension, the praise or fame those wreaths symbolize.
How do you pronounce “laurel”?
“Laurel” is pronounced LOR-uhl (/ˈlɔɹ.əl/ in IPA).
How do you use “laurel” in a sentence?
Here is “laurel” used in a sentence: “Ancient Greek athletes were crowned with a laurel wreath.”
What part of speech is “laurel”?
“Laurel” is a noun.
Where does the word “laurel” come from?
The word “laurel” comes from Latin. From Old French lorier, ultimately from Latin laurus, "laurel.".
Is “laurel” a common word?
“Laurel” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “laurel” have?
“Laurel” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an evergreen shrub with glossy, aromatic leaves, or a wreath made from its branches.
What does it mean to "rest on one's laurels"?
To "rest on one's laurels" means to be satisfied with past achievements and stop trying to accomplish more, drawing on the sense of laurel as honor or distinction earned through achievement.
What is the difference between a laurel wreath and the laurel plant?
The laurel plant is an evergreen shrub with glossy, aromatic leaves, while a laurel wreath is an object made from the branches of that plant; the wreath has become symbolically associated with honor and achievement.
Why is "laurels" used to mean honor or achievement?
Because a wreath made from laurel branches has long been used as a symbol of honor, the word "laurels" came to mean the distinction or praise earned through accomplishment.
