acceptance speech

/əkˈsep.təns spiːtʃ/

Meaning

An 'acceptance speech' is a speech made by someone when they receive an award, prize, or honor. It is typically used to express gratitude to the organizers, colleagues, friends, and family who supported them.

Examples

  • She cried during her acceptance speech at the Oscars last night.

    She cried during her acceptance speech at the Oscars last night.

  • He forgot to thank his director during his hurried acceptance speech.

    He forgot to thank his director during his hurried acceptance speech.

  • I always skip the long acceptance speeches when watching award shows.

    I always skip the long acceptance speeches when watching award shows.

  • The actress prepared a powerful acceptance speech focusing on equal rights.

    The actress prepared a powerful acceptance speech focusing on equal rights.

  • His humorous acceptance speech was the highlight of the entire ceremony.

    His humorous acceptance speech was the highlight of the entire ceremony.

Common Mistakes

  • ✗ He made an accepting speech.

    ✓ He made an acceptance speech.

    'Acceptance' (noun) is the correct modifier here, not the participle 'accepting'.

  • ✗ She gave her thank you speech.

    ✓ She gave her acceptance speech.

    While it is a speech to say thank you, 'acceptance speech' is the formal and standard industry term for receiving an award.

Related Expressions

thank-you speechvictory speechkeynote address

Practice

  • Winners are usually asked to keep their ___ under two minutes.

    💡 The words spoken when receiving an award.

    Show answer

    acceptance speech

  • She spent hours writing her ___ just in case she won the trophy.

    💡 A speech of gratitude for an honor.

    Show answer

    acceptance speech