applause

applause — noun

1. the sound or public response people make when they clap to show they liked a per

1.nounC1
Definition

the sound or public response people make when they clap to show they liked a performance, speech, or result

Example

Warm applause filled the hall after Lena's final piano piece.

collocation: warm applause

The mayor paused and waited for the applause to die down.

pattern: applause die down

Common collocations
  • loud applause
  • warm applause
  • polite applause
  • thunderous applause
  • a burst of applause
  • a round of applause
Synonyms
  • clapping

    focuses more on the hand movement and can describe rhythm, not only praise

  • cheers

    adds shouted support and is common at sports events

  • ovation

    suggests stronger and longer applause, often in formal settings

  • acclaim

    broader public praise that is not always shown by clapping

Antonyms
  • boos

    shows noisy public dislike instead of approval

  • jeers

    suggests mocking shouted disapproval from a crowd

Grammar Patterns

loud applause

a round of applause

applause for somebody

Usage Note

Often appears with adjectives such as loud, warm, polite, and thunderous, and with verbs like get, receive, or break into. It usually describes a group reaction at performances, speeches, ceremonies, or other public events.

Common Mistakes

The singer got many applauses after the last song.
The singer got a lot of applause after the last song.
applause is usually uncountable when you mean clapping in general.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

For this sense, applause is the general word for approval shown by a crowd after a speech, concert, play, or prize-giving. Clapping is more literal and points to the hand action itself, so people can clap in time with music without giving formal applause. Cheers add shouted support and are especially common at games or rallies. Ovation is stronger than applause and suggests a much more enthusiastic response, often one that lasts longer or makes people stand up. After a school concert, the audience may give warm applause. After an unforgettable final scene, the cast might receive a standing ovation.

applause ↗clapping ↗cheersovation ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • a round of applause
  • break into applause
  • receive applause

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Applause is related to applaud. English took it from French, from a Latin form connected with applauding. The older idea was clapping in approval, and that meaning is still the center of the word today.