applaud

English

Etymology

From Middle English applauden, from Latin applaudere (“to clap the hands together, applaud”), from ad (“to”) + plaudere (“to strike, clap”).

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /əˈplɔːd/
• (US) IPA^(key): /əˈplɔd/
• (cot–caught merger) IPA^(key): /əˈplɑd/

• Audio (GA)

  (file)

• Rhymes: -ɔːd
• Rhymes: -ɒd

Noun

applaud (plural applauds)

1. (obsolete) Applause; applauding.
2. (obsolete) Plaudit.

Related terms

• applause

Verb

applaud (third-person singular simple present applauds, present participle applauding, simple past and past participle applauded)

1. (transitive, intransitive) To express approval (of something) by clapping the hands.

   After the performance, the audience applauded for five minutes.

2. (transitive, intransitive) To praise, or express approval for something or someone.

   Although we don't like your methods, we applaud your motives.

   • c. 1607–1608, William Shakeſpeare, The Late, And much admired Play, Called Pericles, Prince of Tyre. , London: Imprinted at London for Henry Goſſon,  , published 1609, →OCLC, [Act II, scene v]:

     Now by the Gods, I do applaude his courage.

   • 2011 December 10, David Ornstein, “Arsenal 1 - 0 Everton”, in BBC Sport‎:

     It moved him to within one goal of Thierry Henry's 34 in 2004 and Henry - honoured with a statue outside the stadium on Friday - rose from his seat in the stands to applaud Van Persie.

Synonyms

• beclap

Derived terms

Related terms

Translations

Further reading

• “applaud”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC.
• “applaud”, in The Century Dictionary , New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911, →OCLC.
• “applaud”, in OneLook Dictionary Search.