acclaim
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to welcome or salute with shouts or sounds of joy and approval; applaud.
to acclaim the conquering heroes.
-
to announce or proclaim with enthusiastic approval.
to acclaim the new king.
verb (used without object)
noun
verb
-
(tr) to acknowledge publicly the excellence of (a person, act, etc)
-
to salute with cheering, clapping, etc; applaud
-
(tr) to acknowledge publicly that (a person) has (some position, quality, etc)
they acclaimed him king
noun
Other Word Forms
- acclaimer noun
- reacclaim verb (used with object)
- unacclaimed adjective
Etymology
Origin of acclaim
From the Latin word acclāmāre, dating back to 1630–40. See ac-, claim
Explanation
You know you've hit it big when you earn acclaim, or enthusiastic approval. And when you have achieved "critical acclaim," even the grouchy critics approve of you. The word acclaim comes from the Latin word acclamare, which means to cry out. So it only makes sense that the verb acclaim means to offer enthusiastic praise or applause. "The book was critically acclaimed, but most of the students found it to be stupefyingly boring."
Vocabulary lists containing acclaim
Essential English Vocabulary, List 1
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The Unteachables
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The Crossover
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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.
The band released their first album in 18 years in late 2023, with "Hackney Diamonds" topping the album charts in more than a dozen countries and earning some critical acclaim.
From Barron's • Apr. 13, 2026
Even “Severance,” which earned critical acclaim and awards recognition after its long-awaited second season, sparked debate among viewers about whether it matched the precision and novelty of its first.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026
The SUV, assembled in the company’s home country of South Korea, has garnered critical acclaim since its introduction in 2020.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 23, 2026
Ken Kwapis, a TV veteran and director of “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” making his first documentary, creates an insightful, empathetic portrait of their unlikely trajectory to cult acclaim.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 12, 2026
Her success in Scandinavia was accompanied by acclaim throughout the rest of Europe.
From "The Voice That Challenged a Nation: Marian Anderson and the Struggle for Equal Rights" by Russell Freedman
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.
