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applause meaning and examples

2025-09-06

Meaning

Applause is a noun that means the sound of people clapping their hands together to show approval, enjoyment, or admiration, usually at a performance, speech, or event.

Grammar and Usage

  • Part of speech: noun (uncountable)

  • Common structures:

    • "receive applause"
    • "applause broke out"
    • "loud/raucous/warm applause"

Since it is generally uncountable, we say "a round of applause" instead of "an applause."

Common Phrases

  • a round of applause – a burst of clapping to show approval.
  • thunderous applause – very loud and enthusiastic clapping.
  • spontaneous applause – applause that starts suddenly without planning.
  • applause dies down – when the clapping gradually stops.

Collocations

  • verbs + applause: receive, earn, deserve, win, get
  • adjectives + applause: loud, wild, thunderous, polite, rapturous
  • nouns + applause: burst of applause, round of applause, wave of applause

Examples

  1. The singer received thunderous applause after her final song.
  2. A round of applause broke out when the speaker finished his inspiring talk.
  3. The actors bowed as the applause continued.
  4. Her performance earned polite applause from the audience.
  5. The applause died down as the lights dimmed.
  6. Spontaneous applause erupted during the ceremony.
  7. The comedian enjoyed a wave of applause after his jokes.
  8. The audience gave the young pianist warm applause.
  • cheering
  • clapping
  • ovation
  • acclaim
  • standing ovation