eulogia

Eulogia is a term with roots in ancient Greek, εὐλογία, traditionally translated as “blessing” or “praise.” The word denotes both a blessing or benediction in religious rites and the act of speaking well of someone or something. The related verb eulogéo means “to bless” or “to speak well of.” The form eulogia entered Latin as eulogia and later passed into medieval and modern European languages, giving rise to the English terms eulogy and eulogize.

In classical Greece, εὐλογία referred to acts of praise directed toward gods or benefactors, as well as speeches that extolled a person’s virtues. In early Christian usage, the term could denote a blessing in liturgy, but over time in English it became primarily associated with a formal speech honoring a deceased person at a funeral. The broader sense of praise remains in both religious and secular contexts.

Modern usage centers on impressionistic or commemorative praise. A eulogy is a spoken or written tribute that commemorates a person’s life, achievements, or character, most commonly delivered at funerals but also given for public figures or occasions. To eulogize is to praise highly; the term is often contrasted with more critical forms of discourse. Related concepts include panegyric and laudation, which share the broad idea of formal praise.