tribute

Something said, done, or given to show thanks, respect, or admiration.

• She left flowers as a tribute.
• His speech paid tribute to the nurses.
• Friends gathered to offer tributes to their former teacher.

How to use it: tribute to someone/something (The concert was a tribute to her work.); pay tribute to someone/something (He paid tribute to the volunteers.)

Similar words: honor, acknowledgment, homage

Common phrases: pay tribute, tribute to someone, floral tribute

A feature of a creative work that shows admiration for another work or its creator.

• The song is a tribute to her favourite singer.
• His painting includes a tribute to a famous artist.
• Did you notice the tribute to silent films in that scene?

How to use it: tribute to someone/something (The final scene is a tribute to an earlier film.)

Similar words: homage

Common phrases: tribute to someone, musical tribute, tribute to something

Money or goods a country gives another country to accept its power or avoid attack.

• The king demanded tribute from nearby towns.
• Each year, the conquered kingdom sent gold as tribute.
• Refusing to pay tribute led to another invasion.

How to use it: tribute to someone/something (The kingdom paid tribute to the emperor.)

Common phrases: pay tribute, annual tribute, demand tribute

To give money or goods to a ruler or country as a sign of accepting their power.

• The towns tributed gold to the emperor.
• Each village had to tribute part of its harvest.
• The conquered rulers tributed silver every year.

How to use it: tribute something to someone (The village tributed grain to the king.)

Common phrases: tribute gold, tribute to someone