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
Both won critical acclaim and, to a degree, commercial success.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 11, 2026
In December 1931, they colluded with the Turks to prevent Abdulmejid from attending a global summit of Muslim leaders in Jerusalem, where his foreign supporters had planned to acclaim him caliph.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 4, 2026
Ardern won international acclaim for her handling of the pandemic, although her popularity in New Zealand had soured in the months before she stood down from politics in January 2023.
From Barron's • Feb. 26, 2026
"I want Lady Lysa and her son to acclaim Joffrey as king, to swear fealty, and to—" "—make war on the Starks and TVillys?"
From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin
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.
