clapping

clapping — noun

1. the noise or activity made when many people repeatedly bring their palms togethe

1.nounA2
Definition

the noise or activity made when many people repeatedly bring their palms together, usually to praise a performer or celebrate something they enjoyed.

Example

Loud clapping filled the hall after Niran finished his violin solo.

subject + filled + place: typical applause-scene frame

The clapping went on for almost five minutes after the curtain fell.

duration phrase: 'went on for'

Common collocations
  • loud clapping
  • rhythmic clapping
  • burst of clapping
  • clapping died down
  • polite clapping
Synonyms
  • applause

    more formal; usually written or used in reviews and reports

  • ovation

    long, very enthusiastic clapping, often standing

  • cheering

    includes shouts and cries, not only hands

Antonyms
  • booing

    showing disapproval with sound, the opposite reaction

  • silence

    no audience reaction at all

Usage Note

Almost always uncountable: say 'loud clapping', not 'a clapping'. For a single hand-strike sound, use the countable noun 'clap' instead.

Common Mistakes

I heard a clapping behind me.
I heard clapping behind me.
uncountable, no article 'a'.
The clappings lasted a long time.
The clapping lasted a long time.
no plural form.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All four describe positive audience reactions, but they differ in scale and channel. 'Clapping' is the most everyday word and focuses on the physical sound of hands meeting, used freely in spoken English: 'There was a lot of clapping after her speech.' 'Applause' is more formal and shows up in reviews, programmes, and announcements: 'The pianist received warm applause.' 'Ovation' is the strongest of the three — long, enthusiastic clapping, often with the audience standing: 'The actors got a five-minute standing ovation.' 'Cheering' is different in kind, not just degree: it includes shouts, whistles, and cries, not only hands. A football crowd cheers; a polite theatre audience claps. Use 'clapping' for the everyday sound, 'applause' when the register is more formal, and 'ovation' or 'cheering' when the reaction is unusually strong or vocal.

clapping ↗applause ↗ovation ↗cheering

Common collocations

Nouns

  • round of clapping
  • burst of clapping
  • wave of clapping

Adverbs

Phrases

  • start clapping
  • stop clapping
  • die down
  • break into clapping

Prepositions

  • clapping for (someone)
  • clapping from (the audience)

Etymology

Old EnglishMiddle EnglishModern English

Formed from the verb 'clap' (Old English 'clæppan', meaning to beat or strike with a sharp sound) plus the gerund/noun-forming suffix '-ing'. The verb itself is imitative — the spelling tries to echo the short, sharp noise hands make when they meet. The noun use for audience approval grew naturally from the action it describes.