applaud
- 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.
- 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.
Origin of applaud
Related Words for applaud
encourage, laud, commend, cheer, hail, praise, recommend, approve, compliment, plug, glorify, magnify, boost, eulogize, acclaim, rave, root, extolExamples from the Web for applaud
Contemporary Examples of applaud
It seems backwards to applaud what is already necessary, what has already been clear for a long time.
Far beyond his well-earned lucre, this is the reason to applaud Radcliffe the most.
They were up on their feet so often to applaud the Texas senator that his speech was practically an aerobics class.
I applaud Paul Ryan and the CBC members for their willingness to engage while respectfully listening to what each had to say.
If it was The View, someone off to the side would be motioning for the audience to applaud.
Historical Examples of applaud
But self-improvement is a dull game when there is no one to applaud your score.
The Incomplete AmoristE. Nesbit
I had an indescribable sense that I ought to applaud, as if I were a public meeting.
Alarms and DiscursionsG. K. Chesterton
And every body will applaud an event that every body expects.
Clarissa, Volume 3 (of 9)Samuel Richardson
What are you the worse if the people hiss at you, so you applaud yourself?
The Praise of FollyDesiderius Erasmus
When he spoke all was tranquility of attention, and every mouth was open to applaud.
ImogenWilliam Godwin
applaud
- 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
Word Origin for applaud
Word Origin and History for applaud
late 15c. (implied in applauding), "to express agreement or approval; to praise," from Latin applaudere "to clap the hands in approbation, to approve by clapping hands; to strike upon, beat," from ad "to" (see ad-) + plaudere "to clap" (see plaudit). Sense of "express approval of" is from 1590s; that of "to clap the hands" is from 1590s. Figurative sense arrived in English before literal. Related: Applauded; applauding.