applaud

[ uh-plawd ]
See synonyms for: applaudapplaudedapplaudingapplauds on Thesaurus.com

verb (used without object)
  1. to clap the hands as an expression of approval, appreciation, acclamation, etc.: They applauded wildly at the end of the opera.

  2. to express approval; give praise; acclaim.

verb (used with object)
  1. to clap the hands so as to show approval, appreciation, etc., of: to applaud an actor; to applaud a speech.

  2. to praise or express approval of: to applaud a person's ambition.

Origin of applaud

1
1530–40; <Latin applaudere, equivalent to ap-ap-1 + plaudere to clap the hands

Other words from applaud

  • ap·plaud·er, noun
  • ap·plaud·ing·ly, adverb
  • o·ver·ap·plaud, verb
  • re·ap·plaud, verb
  • self-ap·plaud·ing, adjective
  • un·ap·plaud·ed, adjective
  • un·ap·plaud·ing, adjective
  • well-ap·plaud·ed, adjective

Words Nearby applaud

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use applaud in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for applaud

applaud

/ (əˈplɔːd) /


verb
  1. to indicate approval of (a person, performance, etc) by clapping the hands

  2. (usually tr) to offer or express approval or praise of (an action, person, or thing): I applaud your decision

Origin of applaud

1
C15: from Latin applaudere to clap, from plaudere to beat, applaud

Derived forms of applaud

  • applauder, noun
  • applauding, adjective
  • applaudingly, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012