applaud

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin applaudere (“to clap the hands together, applaud”), from ad (“to”) + plaudere (“to strike, clap”).

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /əˈplɔːd/
• (US) IPA^(key): /əˈplɔd/
• (cot–caught merger) IPA^(key): /əˈplɑd/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

• Rhymes: -ɔːd

Noun

applaud (plural applauds)

1. (obsolete) Applause; applauding.
2. (obsolete) Plaudit.

Verb

applaud (third-person singular simple present applauds, present participle applauding, simple past and past participle applauded)

1. (transitive, intransitive) To express approval (of something) by clapping the hands.

   After the performance, the audience applauded for five minutes

2. (transitive, intransitive) To praise, or express approval for something or someone.

   Although we don't like your methods, we applaud your motives.

   • Shakespeare

     By the gods, I do applaud his courage.

   • 2011 December 10, David Ornstein, “Arsenal 1 - 0 Everton”, in BBC Sport‎:

     It moved him to within one goal of Thierry Henry's 34 in 2004 and Henry - honoured with a statue outside the stadium on Friday - rose from his seat in the stands to applaud Van Persie.

Further reading

• applaud in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
• applaud in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911
• applaud at OneLook Dictionary Search