applaud
/əˈplɔːd
/verb [no object]
1Show approval or praise by clapping: the crowd whistled and applauded [with object]: his speech was loudly applauded...
- We got stiffly to our feet and clapped the encores, applauded and cheered the memory of what we once believed and wanted to be.
- I began clapping to the music, and they started clapping and applauding.
- Suddenly a loud clap came from one of the men, followed by another, and then another until his whole command was clapping and applauding.
Synonyms
clap, cheer, whistle, give a standing ovation to, put one's hands together;
hail, acclaim, hurrah, hurray, shout at;
show one's appreciation;
ask for an encore
informal give someone a big hand, bring the house down
1.1 [with object] Show strong approval of (a person or action); praise: Jill applauded the decision...
- You are applauded for your professional prowess and dexterity in a business venture.
- It's the one job in the world that you can roll up to stoned out of your mind and you're actually applauded for it.
- It was a display of pointless truculence and ignorance and he was applauded for it.
Synonyms
praise, commend, acclaim, salute, extol, laud, admire, welcome, celebrate, express admiration for, express approval of, look on with favour, favour, approve of, sing the praises of, pay tribute to, speak highly of, take one's hat off to, pay homage to, express respect for
Origin
Late 15th century: from Latin applaudere, from ad- 'to' + plaudere 'to clap', reinforced by French applaudir.
plaudit from early 17th century:
You receive plaudits when you are praised for something good you have done. The source is Latin plaudite ‘applaud!’, which is what Roman actors used to ask the audience to do at the end of a play. This comes from plaudere ‘to applaud or clap’, as does applaud itself. Plausible, also ultimately from plaudere, was at one time used to mean ‘deserving applause or approval’. See also explode