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applaud

/əˈplɔd/
/əˈplɔd/
IPA guide

Other forms: applauded; applauding; applauds

To applaud is to show approval, encouragement, or appreciation. You can applaud by clapping your hands at a performance, or you can applaud with just your mouth, as when you tell someone "I applaud your decision to start exercising."

The verb applaud goes back to the Latin verb applaudere, "to clap," and it came into English use in the 15th century. Part of the word applaud is laud, which means "praise," and laud is close in spelling to loud. When you applaud, you give loud praise by clapping you hands together. If you really like what someone is doing and want to pat them on the back for it or show encouragement, you might just say "I applaud your efforts."

Definitions of applaud
  1. verb
    clap one's hands or shout after performances to indicate approval
    synonyms: acclaim, clap, spat
    see moresee less
    antonyms:
    boo
    show displeasure, as after a performance or speech
    types:
    bravo
    applaud with shouts of `bravo' or 'brava'
    type of:
    gesticulate, gesture, motion
    show, express, or direct through movement
  2. verb
    express approval of
    “I applaud your efforts”
    see moresee less
    types:
    cheer
    show approval or good wishes by shouting
    acclaim, hail, herald
    praise vociferously
    buoy up, lighten, lighten up
    make more cheerful
    type of:
    praise
    express approval of
Pronunciation
US
/əˈplɔd/
UK
/əˈplɔd/
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DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘applaud'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
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