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clap1

Pronunciation: /klap/
Translate clap | into French | into German | into Italian | into Spanish
Definition of clap

verb (claps, clapping, clapped)

[with object]
  • 1strike the palms of (one’s hands) together repeatedly, typically in order to applaud someone or something:Agnes clapped her hands in glee [no object]:the crowd was clapping and cheering
  • show approval of (a person or action) by clapping:Louisa clapped his performance
  • strike the palms of (one’s hands) together once, especially as a signal:the designer clapped his hands and the other girls exited the room
  • (of a bird) flap (its wings) audibly: the hawk shook itself and clapped its wings
  • 2slap (someone) encouragingly on the back or shoulder:as they parted, he clapped Owen on the back
  • place (a hand) briefly against or over one’s mouth or forehead as a gesture of dismay or regret:he swore and clapped a hand to his forehead

noun

  • 1an act of striking together the palms of the hands: when they stop I give them a clap there was no crescendo of applause, just a lone volley of claps
  • a friendly slap or pat on the back or shoulder.
  • 2an explosive sound, especially of thunder:a clap of thunder echoed through the valley

Phrases

clap eyes on

see eye.

clap hold of

informal grab someone or something roughly or abruptly.

clap someone in jail (or irons)

put someone in prison (or in chains): the ship’s captain had the mutineers clapped in irons

Phrasal Verbs

clap something on

abruptly impose a restrictive or punitive measure:most countries clapped on tariffs to protect their farmers

Origin:

Old English clappan 'throb, beat', of imitative origin. clap1 (sense 1 of the verb) dates from late Middle English

clap in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of clap in the US English dictionary

Nearby words

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