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

• 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

Kershaw, age 37, emerged from the bullpen in the 12th inning with the bases loaded and two outs, and got Nathan Lukes to ground out as Koufax stood and applauded. —Steve Rushin, The Atlantic, 2 Nov. 2025

International production location incentives now include mandates for skills development spending, which Weiss applauded for training young technicians. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 29 Oct. 2025

Though the judges applauded his determination, his low scores led him to be sent home anyway. —Diana Pearl, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025

Aside from slowing down Cook, Kelce applauded the Bills offense for their 40-9 win over the Panthers. —Anne Erickson, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2025

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