# applaud

/əˈpɫɔd/ (US) · /ɐplˈɔːd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/applaud
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 2. to praise an idea or action

verb · CEFR B2 · Formal

to say that you think an idea, decision, or person is very good.

For teachers: to express strong formal approval or praise for a person, policy, or action.

- I applaud your decision to go back to school and finish your degree.
- Environmental groups were quick to applaud the government's new initiative to reduce plastic waste in the oceans.

## Examples

- The audience began to applaud as the music ended.
- Many local leaders applaud the government's decision to build a new park in the city center.
- While the critics were quick to applaud the director's bold visual style, they remained skeptical of the film's confusing and disjointed narrative.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.