clap

[ klap ]

/ klæp /

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.

QUIZZES

THIS PSAT VOCABULARY QUIZ IS PERFECT PRACTICE FOR THE REAL TEST

In our third teacher-created PSAT practice test there are new and unique vocabulary terms you may have never heard of! Can you guess what they mean?

Question 1 of 10

seclusion

a false belief or opinion.

the matter that settles to the bottom of a liquid.

the state of being isolated, kept apart, or withdrawn into solitude.

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Idioms for 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

Definition 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. 2021

Example sentences from the Web for clap

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
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
So instead of clapping, if people liked a performance they were supposed to snap their fingers.
The Real Life of Llewyn Davis|Nicholas Mancusi|November 7, 2013|DAILY BEAST

The crowds along the procession route are clapping as the car passes.
Live Blogging Thatcher’s London Funeral|Tom Sykes|April 17, 2013|DAILY BEAST
There was instant silence, then a clapping of hands and a sort of murmur and sigh coming from a hundred breasts.
Old Kensington|Miss Thackeray
They added the clapping of hands and the stamping of feet to their cries.
The Walking Delegate|Leroy Scott
The clapping and stamping and laughter might have been heard across on Faculty Row.
Center Rush Rowland|Ralph Henry Barbour
At length the pair paused amidst the clapping of the audience, and Mart began to pack up the properties as though all were done.
The Ivory Child|H. Rider Haggard
As Councillor Jackson pinned the medal on to her tunic, a storm of clapping and cheers rose from the school.
The Luckiest Girl in the School|Angela Brazil

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 ]

n.

Gonorrhea. Often used with the.

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clap

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

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