plaudit

noun

plau·​dit ˈplȯ-dət 

1

: an act or round of applause

2

: enthusiastic approval

—usually 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 of plaudit

• 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

Top plaudits at the San Sebastián Co-Production Forum served by contrast to highlight first or second time directors, though two are already fast emerging auteurs. — Callum McLennan, Variety, 23 Sep. 2026

McCormick iced the win with a 2-yard touchdown run of his own with under a minute left to finish off a tough win for the Grizzlies, but one in which Crosby and the defense earned their coach’s plaudits. — Matt Wagner, Daily News, 5 Sep. 2026

Gustavo Hamer would get all the plaudits but run out of energy after 60 minutes, whereas Callum was still going. — Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026

Colony was a huge hit when it was released in South Korean cinemas and won plaudits from critics. — Abid Rahman, HollywoodReporter, 1 Sep. 2026

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