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handclap

handclap

3 1.0
A short clap of the hands to show approval or appreciation
  • noun
  • /ˈhændˌklæp/
translation icon : aplauso
  • There had been a scattering of handclaps as my name was pronounced, and I stared out seeing so many eyes on me. I had imagined this moment for weeks, had endured it how many sleepless hours, yet I had always imagined the audience a vague blur like flooding water, a terrible presence yet without specific identity.
  • give a handclap

The studio audience laughed, and Izidor heard a sprinkling of handclaps.

Examples

  • To show their appreciation, the students gave a big handclap to their teacher.

  • After the heartfelt speech, there was a thunderous handclap from the crowd.

  • Everybody, give a handclap for Jesus.

  • Give a big handclap for Jesus Christ.

  • Let's give the Lord God on high a big handclap.

  • We all want to do the handclaps on the outro, or play triangle, or be in the crowd noise backing vocals.

    Blog text (24)
  • I began to believe I had been clumsy and uncoordinated, undeserving of handclaps and cheers.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • The audience erupted in a loud handclap after the performance ended.

Synonyms

applause
vshandclap
647 1.0

Clapping hands to show you like or approve something

is a single brief palm strike not a collective expression
clapping
vshandclap
4 1.0

A sound made by people hitting their hands together to show approval

is a single brief instance of that hand striking used to show approval
hand clapping
vshandclap
1 1.0

Striking the palms of your hands together repeatedly to show approval or admiration

is the single brief strike rather than the repeated action
handclapping
vshandclap
2.4

Making a sound by hitting your hands together to show approval or during games and music

is mainly a single approving palm strike not used for games or music

Antonyms

45 3.0

A feeling that shows you do not agree with someone or what they do

How Loud

applause
647 1.0
handclap
3 1.0

Surface Forms

handclap singular
handclaps plural

Morphology

handclap = hand + clap (transparent) = hand + clap

A straightforward compound whose meaning ('a clap made with the hands') is directly derivable from its components for average learners.

Etymology

The word handclap is made from the simple English words hand and clap, where 'clap' means the sharp sound made when you hit your hands together. So a handclap is that sound or action people give to show 'approval' or 'praise'.