Praise means to express approval or admiration for something good someone has done. When your teacher praises your essay, she's telling you she thinks it's well-written. When a coach praises an athlete's improvement, he's recognizing the hard work that led to better performance.

Praise can be simple, like “good job” or “well done,” or it can be more specific: “Your science project showed real creativity in how you tested that hypothesis.” Praise that points to something specific can feel especially meaningful.

People praise others for achievements large and small: a parent might praise a child for being kind to a sibling, while a whole nation might praise an astronaut for a successful mission. Religious communities offer praise to God through songs and prayers.

Praise often focuses on what someone actually did or how they behaved, not just on traits they were born with. Praising someone's effort, choices, or growth can be powerful. When you receive praise, it acknowledges that your work or behavior mattered. When you give praise to others, you help them see what they're doing right.