applaud

[uh-plawd]

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.

Origin of applaud

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

Related formsap·plaud·er, nounap·plaud·ing·ly, adverbo·ver·ap·plaud, verbre·ap·plaud, verbself-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. 2018

Examples from the Web for applaud

Contemporary Examples

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
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
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
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
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

Historical Examples

But self-improvement is a dull game when there is no one to applaud your score.
The Incomplete Amorist
E. Nesbit
I had an indescribable sense that I ought to applaud, as if I were a public meeting.
Alarms and Discursions
G. 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 Folly
Desiderius Erasmus
When he spoke all was tranquility of attention, and every mouth was open to applaud.
Imogen
William Godwin

British Dictionary definitions for applaud

applaud

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 Formsapplauder, nounapplauding, adjectiveapplaudingly, adverb

Word Origin

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

Word Origin and History for applaud

v.

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.

applaud

Origin of .css-1fxfie5{font-size:22px;}@media (max-width:768px){.css-1fxfie5{font-size:18px;margin:0 10px 10px 0;word-break:break-all;word-wrap:break-word;-webkit-hyphens:auto;-moz-hyphens:auto;-ms-hyphens:auto;hyphens:auto;line-height:22px;}}applaud

Examples from the Web for applaud

Contemporary Examples

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

But self-improvement is a dull game when there is no one to applaud your score.

I had an indescribable sense that I ought to applaud, as if I were a public meeting.

And every body will applaud an event that every body expects.

What are you the worse if the people hiss at you, so you applaud yourself?

When he spoke all was tranquility of attention, and every mouth was open to applaud.

applaud

Word Origin

Word Origin and History for applaud

v.

Origin of applaud