applaud

verb

ap·​plaud ə-ˈplȯd 

applauded; applauding; applauds

intransitive verb

: to express approval especially by clapping the hands

The audience applauded at the end of the performance.

transitive verb

1

: to express approval of : praise

I applaud her efforts to lose weight.

2

: to show approval of especially by clapping the hands

Spectators applauded the team.

applaudable

ə-ˈplȯ-də-bəl 

adjective

applaudably

ə-ˈplȯ-də-blē 

adverb

applauder noun

Synonyms

• acclaim
• accredit
• cheer
• crack up
• hail
• laud
• praise
• salute
• tout

Examples of applaud in a Sentence

Everyone applauded the graduates as they entered the auditorium.

The audience stood and applauded her performance.

We applaud the decision to lower taxes.

I applaud their efforts to clean up the city, but they must do more.

Rather than being criticized for her honesty, she should be applauded for it.

Recent Examples on the Web

Tech industry experts like Titania Jordan, the Chief Marketing Officer for Bark Technologies, a parental controls company that helps families keep their kids safe online and in real life, agrees with and applauds Sandy Hook Promise for taking this approach. —Sarah Scott, Parents, 9 May 2025

Thousands of users commented on the clip, many of whom applauded Liberty for always carrying the essentials. —Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 May 2025

After previously calling for the opening ceremony to follow Olympic tradition at the Coliseum, Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn applauded Thursday’s announcement. —Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2025

Judges Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie and season 4 winner Carrie Underwood — who replaced Katy Perry as a judge ahead of the season — applauded all of the contestants for their performances, and last season's winner, Abi Carter, came back to debut her new single. —Caroline Blair, People.com, 5 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Middle French or Latin; Middle French aplaudir, from Latin applaudere, from ad- + plaudere to applaud

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Rhymes for applaud

• abroad
• backboard
• ballade
• defraud
• ephod
• facade
• guffawed
• outlawed
• ramrod
• roughshod
• slipshod
• tripod

Kids Definition

applaud

verb

ap·​plaud ə-ˈplȯd 

1

: praise sense 1, approve

applaud their efforts

2

: to show approval especially by clapping the hands

applaudable

-ə-bəl 

adjective

applauder noun

Etymology

from early French aplaudir "to applaud," from Latin applaudere (same meaning), from ap-, ad- "to, toward" and plaudere "to clap" — related to explode, plaudit, plausible see Word History at explode, plausible