Word
applaud
Meanings
To clap your hands to show approval, usually after a performance, speech, or event.
To strongly approve of or praise an action, decision, or idea.
Definition
To applaud is to show approval by clapping your hands, often after a performance or achievement.
To applaud means to clap your hands to express praise, approval, or enjoyment, especially in public. People typically applaud at the end of a concert, speech, or play. The verb can also be used more broadly to mean that you strongly approve of an idea or action.
Examples
- The crowd began to applaud as the conductor stepped forward to acknowledge the orchestra.
- I applaud the way she handled the disagreement without raising her voice.
- After your presentation, you could hear people applaud from the back of the hall.
- He paused to let the audience applaud before he continued his final point.
Common mistake
Learners sometimes say "applaud for someone"; more natural English is "applaud someone" or "applaud someone for something."
More at C1 level
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More verbs
- analyze To examine something carefully in order to understand it or explain it.
- scrutinize To scrutinize something is to examine it very carefully and in detail.
- affect To affect something is to influence it or cause it to change.
- allude To allude means to mention or suggest something indirectly without saying it clearly.
- elude To elude someone or something is to avoid being caught, understood, or remembered.