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

He didn’t get one last year either, despite Grammy acclaim for both Carpenter and Taylor Swift LP’s.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

She asked her 354 million Instagram followers: "Have you tuned in to the most critically acclaimed show of the year!?!?!? All's Fair streaming now."

Read more on BBC

Cowley worked his magic again in launching Jack Kerouac’s career, spending years talking up and excerpting “On the Road” in magazines before publishing the 1957 Beat touchstone with Viking to immediate acclaim.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

In the 1580s, the Queen’s Men were widely acclaimed for putting an all-star company of England’s leading players on the Theatre’s stage.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Theatre veteran Celia Imrie, presented the Theatre Award to Rosamund Pike for her acclaimed performance in the National Theatre's Inter Alia, and shocked guests when she joked about revealing who won Celebrity Traitors.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

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