View source for Laudative

{{Short description|Terms conveying positivity}}
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{{Wiktionary|laudative}}
'''Laudatives''' (from Latin ''laudare'' "to praise") are words or grammatical forms that denote a positive [[Affect (linguistics)|affect]]. That is, they express praise or approval on the part of the speaker. 

Laudatory words are rare in English compared to [[pejorative]] ones,{{citation needed|date=August 2024}} though there are a few, such as "steed" for a fine horse.  More common is laudative use of metaphor, such as calling a helpful person a "saint" or fine food "ambrosia".  Intonation may convey a laudative affect, as in "What a house!" said with an air of wonder. 



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[[Category:Linguistics]]
[[Category:Figures of speech]]
[[Category:Etymology]]