acclaim

[uh-kleym]

verb (used with object)

1. to welcome or salute with shouts or sounds of joy and approval; applaud.

   to acclaim the conquering heroes.

2. to announce or proclaim with enthusiastic approval.

   to acclaim the new king.

verb (used without object)

1. to make acclamation; applaud.

noun

1. acclamation.

acclaim

/ əˈkleɪm /

verb

1. (tr) to acknowledge publicly the excellence of (a person, act, etc)

2. to salute with cheering, clapping, etc; applaud

3. (tr) to acknowledge publicly that (a person) has (some position, quality, etc)

   they acclaimed him king

noun

1. an enthusiastic approval, expression of enthusiasm, etc

Other Word Forms

• acclaimer noun
• reacclaim verb (used with object)
• unacclaimed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of acclaim¹

From the Latin word acclāmāre, dating back to 1630–40. See ac-, claim

Word History and Origins

Origin of acclaim¹

C17: from Latin acclāmāre to shout at, shout applause, from ad- to + clamāre to shout

Example Sentences

The 1993 play, “Arcadia,” is one of his most critically acclaimed works.

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It is a far cry from the elite status Spacey, who has won two Academy Awards, once enjoyed as one of Hollywood’s most acclaimed talents.

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Ideas about another acclaimed “tortured artist” were enlarged by “Van Gogh: The Roulin Family Portraits” at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

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Instead, the film and its soundtrack won him international acclaim.

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Themes of the fabulous and the unreal went from cultural acclaim to critical disdain relatively quickly.

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Related Words

• acclamation 
• applause 
• commendation 
• kudos 
• praise 
• rave 
• recognition