recommendation
reh-kuh-mehn-DAY-shuhn
Recommendation (noun) means a suggestion that something is good, suitable, or worth trying. Example: “Can you give me a recommendation for a good Italian restaurant nearby?”
noun
1
A suggestion that something is good, suitable, or worth trying.
"Can you give me a recommendation for a good Italian restaurant nearby?"
"I bought this novel on the recommendation of my librarian."
"We booked the hotel on a friend's recommendation."
2
Formal advice about the best course of action.
"The committee made a recommendation that the school should start later each morning."
"Our doctor's main recommendation was to rest and drink plenty of water."
"The panel's recommendation was to delay the launch by a month."
3
A letter or statement praising someone's abilities, usually for a job or study application.
"I need a recommendation from my last manager before I can apply."
"He asked his tutor to write a recommendation for his university place."
"Her professor wrote her a glowing letter of recommendation."
How to use recommendation
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA suggestion, piece of advice, or supportive statement recommending someone or something.
Common pairings
letter of recommendation
follow a recommendation
make a recommendation
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like recommendation.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- recommendations
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Can you give me a _____ for a good Italian restaurant nearby?
Etymology
From Anglo-Norman recomendacion, from Medieval Latin recommendatio, built from "recommend" plus "-ation."
Related words
Rhymes for recommendation
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for recommendation →
Frequently asked questions
What does “recommendation” mean?
The word “recommendation” means a suggestion that something is good, suitable, or worth trying. In plain terms, a suggestion, piece of advice, or supportive statement recommending someone or something.
How do you pronounce “recommendation”?
“Recommendation” is pronounced reh-kuh-mehn-DAY-shuhn (/ˌɹɛkəmɛnˈdeɪʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “recommendation” in a sentence?
Here is “recommendation” used in a sentence: “We booked the hotel on a friend's recommendation.”
What part of speech is “recommendation”?
“Recommendation” is a noun.
Where does the word “recommendation” come from?
The word “recommendation” comes from Medieval Latin. From Anglo-Norman recomendacion, from Medieval Latin recommendatio, built from "recommend" plus "-ation.".
Is “recommendation” a common word?
“Recommendation” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “recommendation” have?
“Recommendation” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a suggestion that something is good, suitable, or worth trying.
What is the difference between a recommendation and a suggestion?
A suggestion is a tentative idea offered for consideration, while a recommendation carries more weight — it states that something is good, suitable, or worth trying, often based on experience or expertise. A doctor's recommendation is stronger than a friend's suggestion.
What is the difference between a letter of recommendation and a reference?
A letter of recommendation is a statement praising someone's abilities, usually written for a specific job or study application. A reference can be more neutral — often simply a person who agrees to confirm your experience and character when contacted. In practice, many employers use the two terms interchangeably.
How do you spell recommendation?
Recommendation has one c and two m's. It is formed from recommend plus the ending -ation, so common misspellings such as "reccomendation" and "recomendation" are incorrect.
Is it recommendation of or recommendation for?
Use "of" when naming who made it: "on the recommendation of my doctor." Use "for" when naming what is being proposed or who benefits: "a recommendation for promotion." Both patterns are correct in their own contexts.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include recommendation:
