clap
1 of 3verb
ˈklap 
clapped also clapt; clapping
transitive verb
1
: to strike (two things, such as two flat, hard surfaces) together so as to produce a sharp percussive noise
2
a
: to strike (the hands) together repeatedly usually in applause
b
: applaud
3
: to strike with the flat of the hand in a friendly way
clapped his friend on the shoulder
4
: to place, put, or set especially energetically
clap him into jail
since I first clapped eyes on it
5
: to improvise or build hastily
a hut clapped together from old plywood
intransitive verb
1
: to produce a percussive sound
especially : slam
2
: to go abruptly or briskly
3
: applaud
clap
2 of 3noun (1)
1
: a device that makes a clapping noise
2
obsolete : a sudden stroke of fortune and especially ill fortune
3
: a loud percussive noise
specifically : a sudden crash of thunder
4
a
: a sudden blow
b
: a friendly slap
a clap on the back
5
: the sound of clapping hands
especially : applause
clap
3 of 3noun (2)
: gonorrhea —often used with the
Synonyms
Verb
- bang
- bash
- bat
- belt
- biff
- bludgeon
- bob
- bonk
- bop
- box
- bust
- clip
- clobber
- clock
- clout
- crack
- hammer
- hit
- knock
- nail
- paste
- pound
- punch
- rap
- slam
- slap
- slog
- slug
- smack
- smite
- sock
- strike
- swat
- swipe
- tag
- thump
- thwack
- wallop
- whack
- whale
- zap
Noun (1)
- bang
- blast
- boom
- crack
- crash
- pop
- report
- slam
- smash
- snap
- thunderclap
- thwack
- whack
- whomp
- whump
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Verb She clapped in delight when she heard the news. The audience clapped to the beat of the music. The conductor clapped her hands twice, and the musicians stopped talking and prepared to play. He clapped his friend on the shoulder. He clapped his hand over his mouth when he realized what he had said. He clapped his hat on his head and went out the door. She clapped a muzzle on the dog. The prisoners were clapped in irons. See More
Word History
Etymology
Verb
Middle English clappen, from Old English clæppan to throb; akin to Old High German klaphōn to beat
Noun (2)
Middle French clapoir bubo
First Known Use
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Noun (1)
13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Noun (2)
1587, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing clap
Kids Definition
clap 1 of 2
verb
ˈklap
clapped; clapping
1
: to hit (the palms of the hands) together usually more than once
2
: to hit or touch with the open hand
He clapped his friend on the shoulder.
3
: to hit together noisily
She clapped the two boards together.
The door clapped shut.
4
: to put or place quickly or with force
He clapped his hat on his head.
clap
2 of 2noun
1
: a loud sharp sound
a clap of thunder
2
: a hard or a friendly slap
a clap on the back
Medical Definition
clap
noun
ˈklap
: gonorrhea —often used with the
claps 1 of 2
noun
1
as in bangs
a loud explosive sound a clap of thunder that woke the whole house up Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- bangs
- booms
- pops
- thwacks
- thunderclaps
- roars
- blasts
- whacks
- slams
- snaps
- crashes
- taps
- knocks
- cracks
- smashes
- whumps
- whomps
- clangs
- reports
- howls
- clanks
- whams
- thunks
- raps
- clashes
- outcries
- clamors
- blares
- clangors
- uproars
- tumults
- hue and cries
- hubbubs
- hullabaloos
2
as in thumps
a hard strike with a part of the body or an instrument a sharp clap to the head of the disrespectful youth Synonyms & Similar Words
- thumps
- slaps
- thuds
- punches
- blows
- swipes
- hits
- knocks
- whacks
- strokes
- licks
- spanks
- smacks
- pokes
- pounds
- bangs
- beats
- slams
- swats
- clips
- thwacks
- hands
- hooks
- kicks
- bops
- belts
- cuffs
- raps
- chops
- lashes
- socks
- whams
- biffs
- switches
- bashes
- smashes
- pelts
- knees
- whaps
- welts
- fillips
- haymakers
- wallops
- douses
- stripes
- picks
- dabs
- bats
- clouts
- plumps
- cracks
- swings
- lickings
- hacks
- stingers
- buffets
- slugs
- busts
- boxes
- beatings
- shivers
- whops
- larrups
- lefts
- counterpunches
- counters
- whips
- counterblows
- counterstrokes
- uppercuts
- rights
- body blows
- roundhouses
- whippings
- counter-blows
- thrashings
- batterings
- knockdowns
- counter-strokes
- sucker punches
- rabbit punches
- crunchers
- drubbings
- sidewinders
- one-twos
- bastinadoes
- knockouts
- kayos
- bastinades
- pastings
- KOs
- wallopings
- right-handers
claps
2 of 2verb
as in slaps
to deliver a blow to (someone or something) usually in a strong vigorous manner clapped him on the back as a friendly gesture Synonyms & Similar Words
- slaps
- knocks
- punches
- hits
- bangs
- smacks
- slams
- whacks
- swipes
- strikes
- clips
- thumps
- pounds
- cracks
- kicks
- thwacks
- swats
- taps
- bats
- bashes
- licks
- hammers
- shoves
- bops
- jabs
- nails
- smites
- raps
- stabs
- pokes
- zaps
- bludgeons
- wallops
- pushes
- boxes
- belts
- bobs
- bonks
- socks
- clouts
- flicks
- chops
- tags
- clocks
- biffs
- bumps
- busts
- slugs
- strokes
- clobbers
- pastes
- beats
- whales
- slogs
- cuffs
- mauls
- knees
- slashes
- jostles
- scuffs
- peppers
- hangs one on
- whips
- butts
- pummels
- laces
- mangles
- prods
- stamps
- pommels
- pelts
- lashes
- flails
- batters
- dumps
- roughs
- bunts
- buffets
- drubs
- bungs
- spears
- thrashes
- decks
- lambastes
- lambasts
- beans
- fells
- switches
- levels
- clubs
- conks
- floors
- flogs
- knocks down
- cudgels
- canes
- skulls
- creams
- sledges
- sledgehammers
- sucker punches
- brains
- saps
- bowls (down or over)
- rabbit-punches
- alphyls
- alpine
- alpine anemone
- alpine ash
- alpine aster
- alpine azalea
- alpine bartsia
- alpine bearberry
- alpine beardtongue
- alpine bilberries
- alpine bilberry
- alpine birch
- alpine bistort
- alpine blueberries
- alpine blueberry
- alpine brook saxifrage
- alpine campion
- alpine catchfly
- alpine chough
- alpine clover
- Alpine combined
- alpine cress
- alpine currant
- alpine dock
- alpine eyebright