Home › Words › A › applaudapplaud/əˈplɔːd/applaud means applause; applauding.applaud is pronounced /əˈplɔːd/.EtymologyFrom Middle English applauden, from Latin applaudere (“to clap the hands together, applaud”), from ad (“to”) + plaudere (“to strike, clap”).nounApplause; applauding.Plaudit.verbTo express approval (of something) by clapping the hands.e.g.“After the performance, the audience applauded for five minutes.”To praise, or express approval for something or someone.e.g.“Although we don't like your methods, we applaud your motives.”Definitions & examples from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 3.0).Words closest in meaningBy meaning, not spelling — each word's AI semantic fingerprint, nearest first.applause 91% match — The act of applauding; approbation and praise publicly expressed by the clapping of hands, stamping or tapping of the feet, acclamation, huzzas, or other means; marked commendation. vs applaud →applauding 86% match — applause vs applaud →plaud 84% match — To applaud. vs applaud →applausive 83% match — Conveying applause. vs applaud →applausively 83% match — In an applausive manner. vs applaud →applaudingly 80% match — in an applauding manner vs applaud →applauder 80% match — One who applauds. vs applaud →acclaiming 78% match — That acclaims; applauding, welcoming enthusiastically. vs applaud →