applaud
Americanverb (used without object)
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to clap the hands as an expression of approval, appreciation, acclamation, etc..
They applauded wildly at the end of the opera.
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to express approval; give praise; acclaim.
verb (used with object)
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to clap the hands so as to show approval, appreciation, etc., of.
to applaud an actor; to applaud a speech.
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to praise or express approval of.
to applaud a person's ambition.
verb
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to indicate approval of (a person, performance, etc) by clapping the hands
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(usually tr) to offer or express approval or praise of (an action, person, or thing)
I applaud your decision
Other Word Forms
- applauder noun
- applauding adjective
- applaudingly adverb
- overapplaud verb
- reapplaud verb
- self-applauding adjective
- unapplauded adjective
- unapplauding adjective
- well-applauded adjective
Etymology
Origin of applaud
1530–40; < Latin applaudere, equivalent to ap- ap- 1 + plaudere to clap the hands
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“I want to applaud you because I have had zero — zero — people reach out to me during this tax season about the IRS,” he said.
From MarketWatch • Mar. 4, 2026
In 1999, at the Oscars, Elia Kazan was given a lifetime achievement award, and Amy and her husband, Ed Harris, did not stand, did not applaud during the standing ovation.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 19, 2026
There’s a decent chance analysts will applaud, just like they did back in November when management beat expectations and raised guidance.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 17, 2026
It was broadly positive – about half the audience stood up at the end to applaud him.
From BBC • Feb. 14, 2026
I said out loud, with no one there to applaud me.
From "Tradition" by Brendan Kiely
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
