homage
HOM-ij
/ˈhɒmɪdʒ/
Special honor or respect shown publicly.
Often used in the arts when one work references or imitates another to show respect.
The story behind the word. In the feudal system, a vassal would declare himself the 'man' (homme) of his lord. This act of becoming 'his man' was called 'homage.'
Word relationships
- reverence: Reverence is a deep feeling of respect; homage is the outward expression of that respect.
- disrespect: Lack of courtesy or regard.
Commonly confused with
- homeage: This is a common misspelling; the word is 'homage'.
Collocations
- pay homage to
- fitting homage
- artistic homage
Example sentences
- "The director's new movie is a clear homage to the classic noir films of the 1940s." A film review.
- "The knights came to the castle to pay homage to their new king." Historical context.
Memory hook
Think of 'Home-age'—honoring the 'age' or history of your 'home' or origins. The man's promise.
When not to use
Too formal for casual thanks; don't say 'I pay homage to you for passing the salt.'
Fun facts
- In modern French, 'hommage' is the standard word for 'tribute' or 'honor,' used frequently in award ceremonies.
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