Word
applaud
Phoneticsap·plaud, stress on the second syllable
US/əˈpɫɔd/
UK/ɐplˈɔːd/
Definition
v. to clap your hands together to show that you like a performance or an idea. You can also use it to say you think someone's choice or action is good.
v. to express approval or praise by clapping the hands; to formally commend a person or action. Transitive when expressing praise for a specific decision; intransitive when describing the physical act of clapping.
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.”
Examples
simple
“The audience began to applaud as the music ended.”
contextual
“Many local leaders applaud the government's decision to build a new park in the city center.”
complex
“While the critics were quick to applaud the director's bold visual style, they remained skeptical of the film's confusing and disjointed narrative.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “applaud” in context.
Verb
01. applaud someone for something
“We should applaud the team for their tireless efforts in completing the project on time.”
verb + noun + prep
02. applaud the decision
“Environmentalists were quick to applaud the decision to ban single-use plastics.”
verb + noun
03. stand and applaud
“The audience was so moved by the performance that they all stood and applauded.”
verb + and + verb
Adverb
04. loudly applaud
“The spectators loudly applauded every time a goal was scored.”
adv + verb
05. warmly applaud
“The speaker's opening remarks were warmly applauded by the delegates.”
adv + verb
06. wildly applaud
“The crowd began to wildly applaud as the singer took the stage for the encore.”
adv + verb
Usage
The verb is often used figuratively to mean 'praise' or 'support'.
Real-World Examples
“Hidemasa Morita applauds the Sporting fans during the Portuguese Cup final in May, his last appearance for the Lisbon club.” “When he was sent out for his first warm-up during the game, he applauded the positive reception he got from United supporters in the corner he was running towards.” Etymology
From Middle English applauden, from Latin applaudere (“to clap the hands together, applaud”), from ad (“to”) + plaudere (“to strike, clap”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
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