Word
applaud
To applaud is to show approval by clapping your hands, often after a performance or achievement.
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 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.