tribute
tribute — noun
1. an action, statement, or gift that you offer to someone to express your respect
an action, statement, or gift that you offer to someone to express your respect or admiration for them, especially during a formal ceremony or event.
Andrés paid tribute to his high school teacher during the awards ceremony.
pay tribute to [person]
A minute of silence was a moving tribute to the victims of the earthquake.
a moving tribute
The park was renamed as a lasting tribute to the founder of the city.
Fans left floral tributes outside the theatre after the actor's death.
In a heartfelt tribute, Mira sang a song that her grandmother had loved.
文法句型
pay tribute to [person]
a tribute to [person]
in tribute to [person]
用法筆記
Frequently used with the verb 'pay' in the fixed expression 'pay tribute to someone' — this is the most common pattern for this sense. Also common in 'in tribute to' (prepositional phrase modifying an action).
常見錯誤
2. spoken or written praise that clearly shows you think highly of someone or their
spoken or written praise that clearly shows you think highly of someone or their qualities, especially in a public setting.
The director's speech was a warm tribute to the entire design team.
a warm tribute to
Haruto's farewell letter to the hospital staff was a genuine tribute to their kindness.
Tara received a glowing tribute from her colleagues at the retirement party.
The newspaper article was filled with tributes to the bravery of the rescue team.
- accolade
more formal and often refers to an award or honour
- commendation
formal praise, often official or written
- criticism
expression of disapproval rather than praise
文法句型
be a tribute to [someone/something]
用法筆記
Often appears in the pattern 'be a tribute to (someone)' where the noun phrase before 'be' names the praising act (speech, letter, article). Distinguish from sense 1, where tribute is the act itself — here the tribute is the content of what is said or written.
常見錯誤
3. something that clearly shows the positive qualities, success, or strength of a p
something that clearly shows the positive qualities, success, or strength of a person or thing, often without being a deliberate act of praise.
The old theatre stays full every night, which is a tribute to its performers.
is a tribute to the quality of
Felix's recovery from the accident was a tribute to the skill of the medical staff.
The market's lasting popularity is a tribute to the community's love for traditional food.
Shanti's ability to stay calm under pressure was a tribute to years of training.
文法句型
be a tribute to [something]
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 2: here the focus is on evidence or proof of quality, not on words of praise. The subject of 'is a tribute to' in this sense is typically a result or achievement, not a speech or article.
4. money or goods that a weaker ruler, nation, or group is forced to pay to a more
money or goods that a weaker ruler, nation, or group is forced to pay to a more powerful one, often in exchange for protection or to avoid attack.
The Roman Empire demanded annual tribute from every province it controlled.
demanded tribute from
Border villages paid tribute to the invading army every harvest season.
pay tribute to
Historical records show that the emperor collected tribute in gold, silk, and spices.
Bilal studied how the tribute system shaped trade routes across the ancient world.
- gift
something given freely, not under compulsion
文法句型
pay tribute (to) [ruler/nation]
demand tribute from [nation]
用法筆記
Historically, tribute was often collected annually and took the form of valuable goods or currency. Unlike 'tax', which applies to citizens of one's own nation, tribute is paid by a foreign or subordinate group. This sense is uncountable when referring to the system or practice, and countable when referring to specific payments.