clap Hear it!

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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
clap 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

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Alternate definitions:

medical clap definition - medical

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.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

clap Usage Examples

Adjective modifier

  • loud: Double Vinyl Focus Target, Creates a loud clap with contact.

Modifies a noun

  • trap: People can only take so much of your socialist party clap trap as well, spin, spin, spin.

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!

Noun used with modifier

  • thunder: A sudden thunder clap cuts through our jollity like the crack of a whip.
clap usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

clap quotes

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)

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

-Osborne,John

clap quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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MLA Style

"clap." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/clap>

APA Style

clap. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/clap

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