applaud
gb/əplˈɔd/ us/əplˈɔd/
B1
English
~ 8400
tapsol, megtapsol, méltat, üdvözöl
VERB
B1
1
Usage pattern:
to applaud [someone/something]
The audience applauded loudly when the singer finished her last song.
A közönség hangosan tapsolt, amikor az énekesnő befejezte az utolsó számát.
Everyone stood up and applauded the winning team.
Mindenki felállt, és megtapsolta a győztes csapatot.
At the end of the play, the crowd applauded for several minutes.
The students applauded the teacher as she accepted her award.
They applauded politely, but it was clear they were not very impressed.
Learner examples
The children applauded after the show.
A gyerekek tapsoltak az előadás után.
We all applauded the band at the end.
A végén mindannyian megtapsoltuk a zenekart.
People applauded when the movie finished.
They stood and applauded the actor.
The crowd applauded again and again.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *"applaud to"* someone (e.g., *"We applauded to the singer"*). In English, you usually say *"applaud someone"* or *"applaud for someone"*, or simply *"applaud"* with no object. Another common mistake is mixing up the verb *"applaud"* with the noun *"applause"* (e.g., *"They gave a big applaud"* instead of *"They gave loud applause"*).
Meaning
clap to show approval or enjoyment
Collocations
applaud loudly
|applaud the performance
|applaud the speaker
|applaud the band
|applaud wildly
|applaud in delight
Synonyms
clap (More common and slightly less formal; often used in everyday speech instead of 'applaud'.)
|
give a round of applause (A set phrase focusing on the act of group clapping rather than the verb itself.)
Antonyms
boo (Means to make a loud negative sound to show disapproval instead of clapping.)
|
sit in silence (Describes not showing approval or clapping when others might expect applause.)
Themes
entertainment
|social
|emotions
|arts_entertainment
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To show that you like something by clapping your hands.
To show approval or enjoyment by repeatedly hitting your hands together, especially after a performance or speech.
VERB
B2
FORMAL
2
Usage pattern:
to applaud [someone/something] for [doing something]
Many experts have applauded the government’s decision to invest more in education.
Sok szakértő üdvözölte a kormány döntését, hogy több pénzt fordít az oktatásra.
The manager publicly applauded her team for their hard work during the crisis.
A vezető nyilvánosan méltatta csapatát a válság alatt végzett kemény munkájáért.
Environmental groups applauded the company for reducing plastic packaging.
The policy was widely applauded by international organizations.
Critics applauded the director for taking such a bold creative risk.
Learner examples
Teachers applauded the new school program.
A tanárok üdvözölték az új iskolai programot.
Doctors applauded the change in health rules.
Az orvosok üdvözölték az egészségügyi szabályok változását.
Her friends applauded her for speaking honestly.
The company was applauded for its green plan.
Many people applauded the mayor’s quick action.
Common mistake:
Learners may overuse this formal sense in casual speech, where *"like"*, *"support"* or *"be happy about"* would sound more natural (e.g., *"I applaud your new phone"* sounds too formal; better: *"I like your new phone"*). Another mistake is trying to use it without an object, as in *"People applauded"* when they mean *"People approved"*; the intransitive form usually refers to clapping, not abstract approval.
Meaning
express strong approval or praise
Collocations
applaud the decision
|applaud the effort
|applaud the move
|applaud the initiative
|widely applauded
|applaud someone for their courage
Synonyms
praise (Broad and common; can be more neutral in tone and used in both casual and formal contexts.)
|
commend (Formal word often used for official or public approval, similar in register to 'applaud'.)
Antonyms
criticize (Means to say what is wrong with something, the opposite of expressing approval.)
|
condemn (A strong, often public expression of disapproval, opposite in strength to 'applaud'.)
Themes
opinions
|politics
|work
|communication
|business
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To say that you strongly approve of something or think it is very good, especially in a formal or public way.
To express strong approval or praise for something, especially an action, idea, or decision, often in a public or formal way.
Grammar
Dictionary form
applaud
IPA
GB/əplˈɔd/
US/əplˈɔd/
Syllables & stress
ap - plaud (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (plaud)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: applaud
- 3rd Person Singular: applauds
- Present Participle: applauding
- Past: applauded
Word family
Forms
applauds
verb
applauding
verb
applauded
verb
Core family
applause
noun A2
Expressions
applaud the courage
1/əplˈɔd ðə kˈɚɪd͡ʒ/
fixed phrase
praise someone’s bravery
To say that you strongly admire how brave someone was.
Examples
- Commentators applaud the courage of those who spoke out.
- We should applaud the courage it took for her to admit her mistake.
applaud the decision
1/əplˈɔd ðə dɪsˈɪʒən/
fixed phrase
formal
express approval of a decision
To say in a formal way that a decision is good and you strongly support it.
Examples
- Many parents applaud the decision to reduce class sizes.
- Investors have applauded the decision to cut unnecessary costs.
applaud the effort
1/əplˈɔd ðə ˈɛfɚt/
fixed phrase
praise the work someone did
To say that you respect and value how hard someone tried, even if the result was not perfect.
Examples
- Even though the project failed, we should applaud the effort.
- Fans applauded the effort the team showed in the final minutes.
applaud the initiative
1/əplˈɔd ðə ɪnˈɪʃɪtɪv/
fixed phrase
formal
praise a new plan or program
To say in a formal way that a new plan or program is very good and welcome.
Examples
- Human rights groups applaud the initiative to provide free legal help.
- Experts have applauded the initiative as a step in the right direction.
applaud the move
1/əplˈɔd ðə mˈuv/
fixed phrase
praise a specific action or change
To say that a specific action or change is good and you support it.
Examples
- Analysts applaud the move to simplify the company’s structure.
- Local residents have applauded the move to create more green spaces.