applaud
pronunciation
How to pronounce applaud in British English:
UK [əˈplɔːd]
How to pronounce applaud in American English:
US [əˈplɔːd]
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- Verb:
- clap one's hands or shout after performances to indicate approval
- express approval of
Word Origin
- applaud
- applaud: [15] English probably acquired this word directly from Latin applaudere, which meant literally ‘clap at’. It was a compound formed from the prefix ad- ‘to’ and the verb plaudere ‘clap’, source also of plaudit [17] and of explode, whose original sense seems to have been ‘drive from the stage by clapping’ (or, presumably, by any other signals of disapproval favoured by Roman audiences).=> explode, plaudit
- applaud (v.)
- late 15c. (implied in applauding), "to express agreement or approval; to praise," from Latin applaudere "to clap the hands in approbation, to approve by clapping hands; to strike upon, beat," from ad "to" (see ad-) + plaudere "to clap" (see plaudit). Sense of "express approval of" is from 1590s; that of "to clap the hands" is from 1590s. Figurative sense arrived in English before literal. Related: Applauded; applauding.
Example
- 1. You should applaud warmly while the performers bow on the stage .
- 2. I applaud the authorities for taking such an enlightened view .
- 3. Local politicians applaud an outperforming economy .
- 4. Should I applaud my husband or chastise him ?
- 5. But the accord is in precarious shape , and beijing would applaud if cancun consigned it to history .