plaudit

noun

plau·​dit ˈplȯ-dət 

1

: an act or round of applause

2

: enthusiastic approval

—usually used in plural

received the plaudits of the critics

Did you know?

You earn plaudits for your etymological knowledge if you can connect plaudit to words besides the familiar applaud and applause. A word coined by shortening Latin plaudite, meaning "applaud," plaudit had gained approval status in English by the first years of the 17th century. Latin plaudite is a form of the verb plaudere, meaning "to applaud"; plaudere, in turn, is ancestor to explode, plausible, and the archaic displode (a synonym of explode).

Synonyms

• applause
• ovation
• praise
• accolade
• acclamation
• commendation
• cheering

Examples of plaudit in a Sentence

the proud parents bragged that their daughter had received many plaudits for her academic achievements

Recent Examples on the Web

Sensitive and gentle, and then pained and rageful, his transformation into a swirling vortex of destruction is captivating to watch and deserves all the plaudits. —Radhika Seth, Vogue, 5 Sep. 2025

His transformation in the first games at Everton has been dramatic, but his new coach is refusing to take any of the plaudits. —Zak Garner-Purkis, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2025

King put her career on the line and deserves plaudits for her courage. —The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2025

Blair’s track record as the envoy won few plaudits. —Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin plaudite applaud, plural imperative of plaudere to applaud

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for plaudit

• audit
• caudate

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Kids Definition

plaudit

noun

plau·​dit ˈplȯd-ət 

1

: applause

2

: enthusiastic approval

—usually used in plural

received the plaudits of the critics

Etymology

from Latin plaudite, a form of plaudere "to clap" — related to applaud, explode, plausible see Word History at explode, plausible