applaud
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
to say that you think an idea, decision, or person is very good.
to express strong formal approval or praise for a person, policy, or action.
Simple“I applaud your decision to go back to school and finish your degree.”
In context“Environmental groups were quick to applaud the government's new initiative to reduce plastic waste in the oceans.”
“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.”
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.