Words / C1

ded-i-KAYSHUN/ˌdedɪˈkeɪʃn/

Dedication is loyal, hard effort: dedication to the archive, a lifetime’s dedication. It is also the tribute at the front of a book (a dedication to her father). Dedicated is the adjective. Commitment is a close cousin; obsession is too much. Do not use dedication for a one-hour burst of work.

Meaning

Hard, loyal effort given to a task; also the words at the front of a book naming someone.

Examples

• “The prize recognised her dedication to the archive.”
• “The prize honoured dedication, not a single lucky paper.”
• “The dedication page named a teacher; the preface named a funder.”

Good to know

Loyal hard work; also a book’s tribute. Adjective: dedicated. Close: commitment. Not a one-hour burst.

Near in meaning

commitment

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