What does encomia mean?
"Encomia" is the plural of "encomium," meaning formal, elaborate expressions of praise. An encomium is more than a compliment: it is a structured tribute — often a speech, essay, or poem — celebrating a person's virtues, achievements, or character. The word descends from Greek roots referring to festive songs of victory and celebration, which explains its ceremonial flavor. Today, "encomia" appears chiefly in literary, academic, and rhetorical contexts: one might hear encomia at a retirement dinner, read them in a festschrift, or study them as a classical genre of oratory. Because it is learned and somewhat rare, using "encomium" or its plural signals a deliberately elevated register — writers reach for it when ordinary words like "praise" or "tribute" feel too modest. Its anglicized plural "encomiums" is also acceptable, but "encomia" remains the preferred form in careful prose. For anyone interested in the art of praise — its history, conventions, and excesses — this word captures an entire rhetorical tradition in a single term.
noun"Encomia" is the plural of "encomium" — formal expressions of high praise, especially in the form of speeches or written tributes honoring a person or achievement.
- Formal expressions or works of high praise, especially tributes to a person's character or achievements (plural of encomium).
"The retired professor was moved by the encomia delivered by her former students at the farewell dinner."
"The retiring dean listened graciously as one encomium after another filled the auditorium."
"Ancient rhetoricians trained their students to compose encomia on subjects as unlikely as salt or mice as an exercise in inventive praise."
"Encomia" is itself the standard classical plural of "encomium"; the anglicized "encomiums" is also widely accepted.
"The honoree sat through two hours of encomia without a single note of criticism."
When ancient Greeks wanted to heap praise on someone, they literally invoked a drunken revel — 'encomium' comes from 'komos', the word for a riotous festival procession.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of encomia
"Encomium" comes from the Greek "enkōmion", meaning "a song of praise", derived from "en-" ("in") and "kōmos" ("revel, festal procession") — originally a song sung in celebration at a revel or banquet. The word passed into Latin as "encomium" before entering English in the late sixteenth century, retaining its classical plural "encomia" alongside the anglicized "encomiums". It shares its Greek root "kōmos" with words like "comedy" and "comic", which trace back to the same festive, celebratory origins.
Related word forms
How encomia is actually used
"Encomia" is a highly formal, literary word, found mostly in academic, ceremonial, or elevated prose. Both "encomia" and the anglicized "encomiums" are accepted plurals, though "encomia" preserves the classical Latin-style plural and is more common in scholarly writing.
Easily confused with encomia
A eulogy is specifically praise for someone who has died, whereas an encomium is formal praise that may be given to the living.
Encomium is the singular form; encomia is simply its plural.