acclaim

[ uh-kleym ]

verb (used with object)

1. to welcome or salute with shouts or sounds of joy and approval; applaud:

   to acclaim the conquering heroes.

2. to announce or proclaim with enthusiastic approval:

   to acclaim the new king.

verb (used without object)

1. to make acclamation; applaud.

noun

1. acclamation ( defs 1, 2 ).

acclaim

/ əˈkleɪm /

verb

1. tr to acknowledge publicly the excellence of (a person, act, etc)
2. to salute with cheering, clapping, etc; applaud
3. tr to acknowledge publicly that (a person) has (some position, quality, etc)

   they acclaimed him king

noun

1. an enthusiastic approval, expression of enthusiasm, etc

Derived Forms

• acˈclaimer, noun

Other Words From

• ac·claimer noun
• reac·claim verb (used with object)
• unac·claimed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of acclaim¹

From the Latin word acclāmāre, dating back to 1630–40. See ac-, claim

Word History and Origins

Origin of acclaim¹

C17: from Latin acclāmāre to shout at, shout applause, from ad- to + clamāre to shout

Example Sentences

Published in March to widespread critical acclaim,“James” is told from the perspective of Jim, the escaped slave who joins Twain’s protagonist Huckleberry Finn on his journey down the Mississippi River.

From Los Angeles Times

Amid that cache were the black-and-white images that were featured in his acclaimed photo book “House of Bondage.”

From New York Times

Certainly, there could have been a more straightforward adaptation of Colson Whitehead’s acclaimed novel about the friendship between two Black boys at a brutal Florida reform school in the early 1960s.

From Los Angeles Times

Kenny was also an acclaimed singer, poet, and solo stand-up performer.

From BBC

One can certainly discuss this limited series divorced from other critically acclaimed shows, but it’s more interesting to view it as part of a continuum that speaks to our present, whether thematically or parabolically.

From Salon

Related Words

• acclamation
• applause
• commendation
• kudos
• praise
• rave
• recognition