applaud

verb

ap·​plaud ə-ˈplȯd 

applauded; applauding; applauds

intransitive verb

: to express approval especially by clapping the hands

The audience applauded at the end of the performance.

transitive verb

1

: to express approval of : praise

I applaud her efforts to lose weight.

2

: to show approval of especially by clapping the hands

Spectators applauded the team.

applaudable

ə-ˈplȯ-də-bəl 

adjective

applaudably

ə-ˈplȯ-də-blē 

adverb

applauder noun

Synonyms of applaud

• praise
• hail
• commend
• salute

Examples of applaud in a Sentence

Everyone applauded the graduates as they entered the auditorium.

The audience stood and applauded her performance.

We applaud the decision to lower taxes.

I applaud their efforts to clean up the city, but they must do more.

Rather than being criticized for her honesty, she should be applauded for it.

Recent Examples on the Web

Analyst Kristine Liwag applauded GE Aerospace’s durable services growth, strong pricing power and pristine balance sheet. —Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 20 Feb. 2026

Prior to showing the video, Zamani read out a list of musicians, artists, filmmakers and actors confirmed as having been killed in the crackdown as well as another half dozen arts and culture professionals who have been detained, requesting that that the audience applaud each of the names. —Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 19 Feb. 2026

In a conversation hosted by the Italian Cultural Institute in Miami in conjunction with the Miami opening, Monsignor Alberto Rocca of Milan’s Pinocoteca Ambrosiano, applauded D&G’s use of the Catholic symbols so integral to Italian culture. —Jane Wooldridge, Miami Herald, 19 Feb. 2026

Council member Linea Palmisano gave the declaration to the family and applauded Minneapolis police for their heroic acts on the day that two children were killed and 21 others were injured. —Frankie McLister, CBS News, 19 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Middle French or Latin; Middle French aplaudir, from Latin applaudere, from ad- + plaudere to applaud

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Rhymes for applaud

• abroad
• backboard
• ballade
• defraud
• ephod
• facade
• guffawed
• outlawed
• ramrod
• roughshod
• slipshod
• tripod

Kids Definition

applaud

verb

ap·​plaud ə-ˈplȯd 

1

: praise sense 1, approve

applaud their efforts

2

: to show approval especially by clapping the hands

applaudable

-ə-bəl 

adjective

applauder noun

Etymology

from early French aplaudir "to applaud," from Latin applaudere (same meaning), from ap-, ad- "to, toward" and plaudere "to clap" — related to explode, plaudit, plausible see Word History at explode, plausible