clap

¹ American  

[klap] / klæp /

verb (used with object)

clapped, clapping

1. to strike the palms of (one's hands) against one another resoundingly, and usually repeatedly, especially to express approval.

   She clapped her hands in appreciation.

2. to strike (someone) amicably with a light, open-handed slap, as in greeting, encouragement, or the like.

   He clapped his friend on the back.

3. to strike (an object) against something quickly and forcefully, producing an abrupt, sharp sound, or a series of such sounds.

   to clap a book on the table.

4. to bring together forcefully (facing surfaces of the same object).

   She clapped the book shut.

5. to applaud (a performance, speech, speaker, etc.) by clapping the hands.

   The audience clapped the actors at the end of the act.

6. to put or place quickly or forcefully: She clapped her hand over his mouth.

   Can you clap a lid on that jar?

   She clapped her hand over his mouth.

   They clapped him in jail.

7. to make or arrange hastily (often followed by together orup ).

   He clapped together dinner from stuff in the pantry and leftovers from the fridge.

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verb (used without object)

clapped, clapping

1. to clap the hands, as to express approval; applaud.

   After the audience stopped clapping, the tenor sang two encores.

2. to make an abrupt, sharp sound, as of flat surfaces striking against one another.

   The shutters clapped in the wind.

3. to move or strike with such a sound.

   She clapped across the room in her slippers.

noun

1. an act or instance of clapping.

2. the abrupt, sharp sound produced by clapping.

3. a resounding blow; slap.

4. a loud and abrupt or explosive noise, as of thunder.

5. a sudden stroke, blow, or act.

6. Printing. clapper.

7. Obsolete. a sudden mishap.

verb phrase

1. clap back clapback.

idioms

1. clap eyes on. eye.

2. clap hold of, to take hold of.

clap ² American  

[klap] / klæp /

noun

Slang: Vulgar.

1. Often the clap gonorrhea.

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clap ¹ British  

/ klæp /

verb

1. to make or cause to make a sharp abrupt sound, as of two nonmetallic objects struck together

2. to applaud (someone or something) by striking the palms of the hands together sharply

3. (tr) to strike (a person) lightly with an open hand, in greeting, encouragement, etc

4. (tr) to place or put quickly or forcibly

   they clapped him into jail

5. (of certain birds) to flap (the wings) noisily

6. (tr; foll by up or together) to contrive or put together hastily

   they soon clapped up a shed

7. informal to catch sight of

8. informal to grasp suddenly or forcibly

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noun

1. the sharp abrupt sound produced by striking the hands together

2. the act of clapping, esp in applause

   he deserves a good clap

3. a sudden sharp sound, esp of thunder

4. a light blow

5. archaic a sudden action or mishap

clap ² British  

/ klæp /

noun

1. a slang word for gonorrhoea

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Etymology

Origin of clap¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English clappen, Old English clæppan; cognate with Middle Low German kleppen

Origin of clap²

First recorded in 1580–90; akin to Middle French clapoir “bubo,” clapier “brothel,” Old Provençal clapier “warren”

Example Sentences

Here, Maher explains that this is basically like getting the clap and then your doctor dies.

From Salon

Hannity had a live studio audience Thursday evening that frequently shouted and clapped as he and his guests railed against the Manhattan district attorney, Alvin Bragg.

From Seattle Times

Members of Italy’s powerful farm lobby, Coldiretti, an important source of votes, especially in the country’s north, were on hand to clap for the Italian leader.

From Seattle Times

Former co-host Brim reacted to the Instagram announcement with a series of clapping emojis.

From Los Angeles Times

His audience applauded, but Friedman stopped the clapping.

From Washington Times

Related Words

• bang
• cheer
• pat
• slap