verb

applaud

uh-PLAWD

verb

To clap your hands to show approval or enjoyment.

"The crowd applauded as the band walked on stage."

"Everyone applauded loudly at the end of her speech."

To praise or express strong approval of something.

"Critics applauded the director's bold new approach."

How to Use Applaud

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo clap for someone, or more broadly, to openly praise them.

Common pairings

applaud loudly applaud the decision applaud someone's efforts

applauded past tense, applauds plural, applauds singular

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.

Can you complete this real example?

The crowd _____ as the band walked on stage.

From Latin applaudere, "to clap the hands together," from ad- ("to") + plaudere ("to clap, strike").

Maud fraud Claud Renaud defraud Rimbaud