Applaud
/əˈplɔːd/noun
To express approval or praise by clapping, cheering, or showing enthusiastic support.
Did you know?Applaud comes from Latin applaudere, and its deeper ancestor plaudere meant “to strike, clap, or beat,” a root that also gave English words tied to loud impact and public display.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*pleu- / *plaud-
“An ancient sound- and strike-related root behind ideas of beating, clapping, and loud impact.”
Latin
Latin
plaudere
“To clap, strike, or beat hands together.”
Latin
Latin
applaudere
“To clap at, applaud; literally, to clap toward or upon.”
Late Latin
Latin
applaudere
“To express approval by clapping.”
Old French
Old French
applaudir
“To applaud, praise publicly.”
Middle English
English
applauden
“To praise or express approval by clapping.”
Modern English
English
applaud
“To express approval or praise, especially by clapping.”