clap

clap — verb

1. to bring your palms together sharply so that they produce a short, loud sound, o

1.verbtransitive / intransitiveB1
Definition

to bring your palms together sharply so that they produce a short, loud sound, often as a signal or to get someone's attention.

Example

Leila clapped her hands twice, and the waiter came over with the menu.

clap + possessive + hands to signal

The teacher clapped once, and the noisy students stopped talking.

intransitive: single sharp clap for attention

Common collocations
  • clap one's hands
  • clap for attention
  • clap sharply
Synonyms
  • smack

    more forceful and usually involves hitting a surface, not just palms together

  • slap

    implies hitting a person or object, not one's own hands

Grammar Patterns

clap + hands

clap (no object)

Usage Note

This sense describes a single sharp clap or a short series of claps made to produce a sound, not the sustained applause of an audience. When used transitively, the object is usually 'hands' or 'palms.'

Common Mistakes

He claped his hands together.
He clapped his hands together.
The simple past and past participle of clap is clapped, not claped.

2. to repeatedly bring your palms together to make a sound, showing that you liked

2.verbtransitive / intransitiveB1
Definition

to repeatedly bring your palms together to make a sound, showing that you liked a show, support an idea, or think well of someone.

Example

The whole audience clapped for nearly five minutes after the final song.

intransitive: clap for duration

Everyone clapped when the head teacher finished her speech about the new library.

clap + when-clause for timing

Common collocations
  • clap for someone
  • clap enthusiastically
  • clap loudly
  • clap with delight
Synonyms
  • applaud

    more formal; can take a direct object ('applaud the decision')

  • cheer

    involves shouting, not just hand-clapping

  • give someone a hand

    informal phrase meaning to clap for someone

Grammar Patterns

clap + for + noun

clap (no object)

Usage Note

Unlike 'applaud,' which can take a direct object ('applaud the singer'), this sense of 'clap' is rarely used transitively with a person as object. Use 'clap for someone' instead of 'clap someone.'

Common Mistakes

We clapped the singer after her performance.
We clapped for the singer after her performance.
In this sense, clap takes 'for' before the person being praised.

3. to place someone or something in a position with a swift, abrupt motion, often t

3.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

to place someone or something in a position with a swift, abrupt motion, often to cover, shut, or hold still.

Example

Diego clapped a hand over his mouth to stop himself from laughing out loud.

clap + hand over + body part (covering motion)

Hana clapped the book shut and ran to answer the ringing phone.

clap + object + shut (closing motion)

Common collocations
  • clap a hand over
  • clap shut
  • clap onto
  • clap in handcuffs
Synonyms
  • slap

    implies more force; 'slap a hat on' suggests carelessness

  • bang

    suggests more noise and force ('bang the door shut')

  • thrust

    suggests pushing forward rather than placing

Grammar Patterns

clap + object + adverb/preposition

Usage Note

Always transitive and almost always followed by an adverb or prepositional phrase that indicates the destination, covering, or closing motion. Common patterns include clap a hand over, clap shut, and clap in/on/onto.

4. to hit someone gently on the shoulder, arm, or back with an open hand as a way o

4.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

to hit someone gently on the shoulder, arm, or back with an open hand as a way of showing friendliness, praise, or encouragement.

Example

Kofi clapped his teammate on the back after they won the final match.

clap + on the back — congratulatory gesture

The coach clapped Yara on the shoulder and told her she had played well.

clap + on the shoulder — encouragement

Common collocations
  • clap on the back
  • clap on the shoulder
  • clap gently
Synonyms
  • pat

    softer and slower; 'pat' can also be done to animals

  • slap

    harder and could be aggressive; a friendly slap is harder than a clap

Grammar Patterns

clap + person + on + body part

Usage Note

The object is always a person, and the body part that receives the clap is introduced by the preposition 'on.' The direct object of the verb is the person, not the body part.

Common Mistakes

She clapped his shoulder.
She clapped him on the shoulder.
The person is the direct object; the body part follows 'on.'
Phrasal verbs

clap out

phrasal verb

to clap your hands in rhythm to a piece of music so that others can guess the tune, often as a game or warm-up activity.

The music teacher asked the children to clap out the rhythm of the song.

We played a game where one person clapped out a tune and the others had to guess it.

Idioms

clap eyes on someone/something

idiom

to see or notice someone or something for the first time, often suddenly or with surprise.

From the moment she clapped eyes on the little cottage, she knew she wanted to buy it.

I had never clapped eyes on that man before he walked into the shop.

clap/lay/set eyes on somebody/something

idiom

To see or notice someone or something, often for the first time or after a long time.

Maya clapped eyes on the painting and knew she had to buy it.

Have you laid eyes on my keys? I can't find them anywhere.

clap — noun

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/2

These words all describe showing approval for a performance or achievement, but they differ in action and formality. 'Clap' is the most concrete and common: it refers specifically to striking the palms together. 'Applaud' is more formal and can be used figuratively ('I applaud your decision'), whereas 'clap' is rarely used this way. 'Cheer' involves shouting or calling out in addition to or instead of clapping — it implies more emotional enthusiasm. 'Give a round of applause' is a set phrase used by presenters to invite clapping ('Let's give a round of applause to our guest'). In everyday situations, people say 'clap for someone,' while in formal ceremonies the phrase 'applause' or 'applaud' is preferred. For example: 'The audience clapped for the singer' (neutral, common), 'We applaud the committee's efforts' (formal, figurative), and 'The crowd cheered when the team scored' (loud, emotional).

clap ↗applaud ↗cheer ↗give a round of applause

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • a clap of thunder
  • a clap on the back
  • clap eyes on
  • the clap

Prepositions

Etymology

Proto-GermanicOld EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

The word 'clap' comes from Old English 'clæppan,' meaning 'to beat, throb, or strike.' It is related to Old Norse 'klappa' (to clap, pat) and Proto-Germanic '*klapp-' (to beat, make a noise). The sense of making a noise with the hands dates back to the early English period. The noun sense 'a clap of thunder' appeared around the 14th century. The slang use for gonorrhoea emerged in the early 16th century, possibly from Old French 'clapoir' (a swelling or bubo caused by infection) or from the Dutch 'klap' (a blow, also slang for venereal disease).