clap Hear it!

clap¹ Definition

clap (klap)

intransitive verb clapped, clapping clap′·ping

  1. to make a sudden, explosive sound, as of two flat surfaces being struck together
  2. to strike the palms of the hands together, as in applauding

Etymology: ME clappen < OE clæppan, to throb, beat; akin to ON klapp, OHG klapf, clap, crack: orig. echoic

transitive verb

  1. to strike together briskly and loudly
  2. Rare to applaud by clapping the hands
  3. to strike with an open hand, as in hearty greeting or encouragement
  4. to put, move, set, etc. swiftly clapped into jail
  5. to put together or contrive hastily to clap together a makeshift stage

noun

  1. a sudden, explosive sound, as of clapping a clap of thunder
  2. the act of striking the hands together, as in applauding
  3. a sharp slap, as in hearty greeting
clap¹ Idioms

clap eyes on

Informal to catch sight of; see
clap² Definition

clap (klap)

noun

Slang gonorrhea: with the

Etymology: < ME claper, brothel, orig. rabbit burrow < OFr clapier

clap Synonyms

clap

v.

  1. To strike the palms together

    applaud, cheer, acclaim; see praise 1.

  2. To strike

    bang, slap, slam; see hit 1.

clap Usage Examples

Adjective modifier

  • loud: Double Vinyl Focus Target, Creates a loud clap with contact.
  • slow: This was followed by a lone, solitary, slow hand clap, with the culprit uttering the words, " Nice job Anthony.

Modifies a noun

  • trap: People can only take so much of your socialist party clap trap as well, spin, spin, spin.
  • clinic: Overloaded clap clinics That said, the idea of ' shared care ' is not necessarily absurd, especially if managed properly.
  • hand: I have to praise, sometimes over praise them ( orally or even clap hands ) whenever they utter something in English.

Used with why or when

  • when: And nobody's going to clap when it does, and nobody's going to come help you when it doesn't.

Preposition: of

  • thunder: There was a massive clap of thunder at lunchtime!
  • hand: The signal for silence was a single clap of the hands by the teacher on duty.

Noun used with modifier

  • thunder: A sudden thunder clap cuts through our jollity like the crack of a whip.
  • hand: This was followed by a lone, solitary, slow hand clap, with the culprit uttering the words, " Nice job Anthony.
clap Quotes

Don't clap too hardöit's a very old building.

—Osborne,John

For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.

—Bible (Old Testament)

Browse dictionary entries near clap

  1. ‹ clanswomen
  2. ‹ clanswoman
  3. ‹ clansmen
  4. ‹ clansman
  5. ‹ clannishness
  6. ‹ clannishly
  7. ‹ clannish
  8. ‹ clank
  9. ‹ clangour
  10. ‹ clangorously
  1. clap eyes on ›
  2. clapboard ›
  3. clapped ›
  4. clapped-out ›
  5. clapper ›
  6. clapperclaw ›
  7. clapping ›
  8. clapt ›
  9. claptrap ›
  10. claque ›