clap

[ klap ]

/ klæp /

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See synonyms for: clap / clapping on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), clapped, clap·ping.

to strike the palms of (one's hands) against one another resoundingly, and usually repeatedly, especially to express approval: She clapped her hands in appreciation.

to strike (someone) amicably with a light, open-handed slap, as in greeting, encouragement, or the like: He clapped his friend on the back.

to strike (an object) against something quickly and forcefully, producing an abrupt, sharp sound, or a series of such sounds: to clap a book on the table.

to bring together forcefully (facing surfaces of the same object): She clapped the book shut.

to applaud (a performance, speech, speaker, etc.) by clapping the hands: The audience clapped the actors at the end of the act.

to put or place quickly or forcefully: Can you clap a lid on that jar? She clapped her hand over his mouth.They clapped him in jail.

to make or arrange hastily (often followed by together or up): He clapped together dinner from stuff in the pantry and leftovers from the fridge.

verb (used without object), clapped, clap·ping.

to clap the hands, as to express approval; applaud: After the audience stopped clapping, the tenor sang two encores.

to make an abrupt, sharp sound, as of flat surfaces striking against one another: The shutters clapped in the wind.

to move or strike with such a sound: She clapped across the room in her slippers.

noun

an act or instance of clapping.

the abrupt, sharp sound produced by clapping.

a resounding blow; slap.

a loud and abrupt or explosive noise, as of thunder.

a sudden stroke, blow, or act.

Printing. clapper (def. 5).

Obsolete. a sudden mishap.

Verb Phrases

clap back, Slang. See entry at clapback.

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Idioms about clap

clap eyes on. eye (def. 42).

clap hold of, Nautical. to take hold of.

Origin of clap

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English clappen, Old English clæppan; cognate with Middle Low German kleppen

Other definitions for clap (2 of 2)

clap²

[ klap ]

/ klæp /

noun Slang: Vulgar.

Often the clap . gonorrhea.

Origin of clap

First recorded in 1580–90; akin to Middle French clapoir “bubo,” clapier “brothel,” Old Provençal clapier “warren”

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use clap in a sentence

There was the obvious sight gags of Valerie not realizing who everyone was clapping for, when the party was clapping for her.
‘The Comeback’ Finale: Give Lisa Kudrow All of the Awards|Kevin Fallon|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Right now it looks like the diplomatic equivalent of one hand clapping.
Obama’s One Hand Clap With Castro|Doug McIntyre|December 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And one person started clapping, and then the whole room erupted in applause.
‘Pride’: The Feel-Good Movie of the Year, and the Film Rupert Murdoch Doesn’t Want You to See|Marlow Stern|October 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I always tried to get into the spirit of things with dancing, clapping, and singing out in the pews.
What Paul Ryan Gets Right About Race|Ron Christie|August 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Get involved in the action by standing up and clapping when an athlete deserves it.
6 Ways to Avoid ‘Sochi Gut’ While Watching the Olympics|Jenna A. Bell|February 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Jessie suddenly hopped down from the chair arm and began a pirouette about the room, clapping her hands as she danced.
The Campfire Girls of Roselawn|Margaret Penrose
He answered my prayer; and I was so happy that I walked the floor for a long time, clapping my hands and praising God.
The value of a praying mother|Isabel C. Byrum
I could bear it no more, and rushed from the room, clapping the door after me, and strove with all my force to lock it.
A Thin Ghost and Others|M. R. (Montague Rhodes) James
She cast this wreath around the old man's neck, then danced back, clapping her hands in delight.
Menotah|Ernest G. Henham
About a dozen boys were assembled, and there was a great clapping as the two newcomers entered.
Eric, or Little by Little|Frederic W. Farrar

British Dictionary definitions for clap (1 of 2)

clap¹

/ (klæp) /

verb claps, clapping or clapped

to make or cause to make a sharp abrupt sound, as of two nonmetallic objects struck together

to applaud (someone or something) by striking the palms of the hands together sharply

(tr) to strike (a person) lightly with an open hand, in greeting, encouragement, etc

(tr) to place or put quickly or forciblythey clapped him into jail

(of certain birds) to flap (the wings) noisily

(tr; foll by up or together) to contrive or put together hastilythey soon clapped up a shed

clap eyes on informal to catch sight of

clap hold of informal to grasp suddenly or forcibly

noun

the sharp abrupt sound produced by striking the hands together

the act of clapping, esp in applausehe deserves a good clap

a sudden sharp sound, esp of thunder

a light blow

archaic a sudden action or mishap

Word Origin for clap

Old English clæppan; related to Old High German klepfen, Middle Dutch klape rattle, Dutch klepel clapper; all of imitative origin

British Dictionary definitions for clap (2 of 2)

clap²

/ (klæp) /

noun

the clap a slang word for gonorrhoea

Word Origin for clap

C16: from Old French clapoir venereal sore, from clapier brothel, from Old Provençal, from clap heap of stones, of obscure origin

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

Medical definitions for clap

clap

[ klăp ]

Gonorrhea. Often used with the.

clap

Idioms about clap

Origin of clap

Other definitions for clap (2 of 2)

Origin of clap

Words related to clap

How to use clap in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for clap (1 of 2)

Word Origin for clap

British Dictionary definitions for clap (2 of 2)

Word Origin for clap

Medical definitions for clap