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verb Uncommon

acclaim

uh-KLAYM

Acclaim (verb) means to praise enthusiastically and publicly. Example: “Critics acclaimed the film as a modern masterpiece.”

verb
1
To praise enthusiastically and publicly.
"Critics acclaimed the film as a modern masterpiece."
noun
1
Enthusiastic public praise or approval.
"The novel received widespread critical acclaim."

How to use acclaim

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishStrong public praise, or the act of giving it.

Common pairings
critical acclaim widespread acclaim acclaimed for

Word forms

acclaimed past tense, acclaims plural, acclaims singular

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Test yourself on “acclaim” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

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Critics _____ the film as a modern masterpiece.

Etymology

From Latin acclamare, "to shout at" or "to cheer," from ad- ("to") plus clamare ("to shout").

Origin: Latin

Related words

Rhymes for acclaim

See all rhymes for acclaim →

Frequently asked questions

What does “acclaim” mean?

The word “acclaim” means to praise enthusiastically and publicly. In plain terms, strong public praise, or the act of giving it.

How do you pronounce “acclaim”?

“Acclaim” is pronounced uh-KLAYM (/əˈkleɪm/ in IPA).

How do you use “acclaim” in a sentence?

Here is “acclaim” used in a sentence: “Critics acclaimed the film as a modern masterpiece.”

What part of speech is “acclaim”?

Depending on how it is used, “acclaim” can be a verb and a noun.

Where does the word “acclaim” come from?

The word “acclaim” comes from Latin. From Latin acclamare, "to shout at" or "to cheer," from ad- ("to") plus clamare ("to shout").

Is “acclaim” a common word?

“Acclaim” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “acclaim” have?

“Acclaim” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to praise enthusiastically and publicly.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial