applaud

[ uh-plawd ]

/ əˈplɔd /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR applaud ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used without object)

to clap the hands as an expression of approval, appreciation, acclamation, etc.: They applauded wildly at the end of the opera.

to express approval; give praise; acclaim.

verb (used with object)

to clap the hands so as to show approval, appreciation, etc., of: to applaud an actor; to applaud a speech.

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

Nearby words

appl., applanate, applanation, applanation tonometer, applanometry, applaud, applaudable, applause, apple, apple a day, apple bee

Origin of applaud

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

Related forms

ap·plaud·er, nounap·plaud·ing·ly, adverbo·ver·ap·plaud, verbre·ap·plaud, verb

self-ap·plaud·ing, adjectiveun·ap·plaud·ed, adjectiveun·ap·plaud·ing, adjectivewell-ap·plaud·ed, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for applaud

It seems backwards to applaud what is already necessary, what has already been clear for a long time.
The Unbearable Whiteness of Protesting|Rawiya Kameir, Judnick Mayard|December 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Far beyond his well-earned lucre, this is the reason to applaud Radcliffe the most.
Daniel Radcliffe: I’m Richer Than One Direction|Tim Teeman|October 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
They were up on their feet so often to applaud the Texas senator that his speech was practically an aerobics class.
Paul, Cruz Duel at ‘Values Voter’ Event|Olivia Nuzzi|September 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I applaud Paul Ryan and the CBC members for their willingness to engage while respectfully listening to what each had to say.
Paul Ryan Opens a Door to the Congressional Black Congress|Ron Christie|May 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST

If it was The View, someone off to the side would be motioning for the audience to applaud.
It’s Not Just the Vaccines. Jenny McCarthy’s New Book Offers More ‘Lessons’|Tim Teeman|April 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I feel for you in your little difficulty, and I applaud your boldness.
The Weird Sisters, Volume I (of 3)|Richard Dowling
She opened her lips and began with a vivacity and dash that made the professionals smile and applaud when she was through.
The Corner House Girls in a Play|Grace Brooks Hill
What he said must have been good, for those present resisted with difficulty a disposition to applaud.
A Breath of Prairie and other stories|Will Lillibridge
Lady Kew could delight in pictures, applaud good poetry, and squeeze out a tear over a good novel too.
The Newcomes|William Makepeace Thackeray
Every word spoken by them, even if it applaud us, goes against the cause!
The Letters of Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Volume II|Elizabeth Barrett Browning

British Dictionary definitions for applaud

applaud

/ (əˈplɔːd) /

verb

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

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

Derived Forms

applauder, nounapplauding, adjectiveapplaudingly, adverb

Word Origin for applaud

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

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