clap
/klæp/ verb B2- To strike the palms of the hands together, creating a sharp sound. · The children began to clap in time with the music.
- To applaud. · The audience loudly clapped the actress, who responded with a deep curtsey.· It isn’t the singers they are clapping; it's the composer.
- To slap with the hand in a jovial manner. · He would often clap his teammates on the back for encouragement.
- To bring two surfaces together forcefully, creating a sharp sound. · He clapped the empty glass down on the table.· She clapped the book shut.
- To create or assemble (something) hastily (usually followed by up or together). · We should clap together a shelter before nightfall.· The rival factions clapped up a truce.
- To set or put, usually in haste. · The sheriff clapped him in jail.· She was the prettiest thing I'd ever clapped eyes on.
- To shoot (somebody) with a gun.
- To defeat. · He started a fight but then got clapped immediately.
He/she/it claps · Past clapped · Past participle clapped · -ing form clapping
Verb forms
- Base form
- clap
- He/she/it
- claps
- Past
- clapped
- Past participle
- clapped
- -ing form
- clapping
Phrasal verbs and expressions
From the library
Holmes clapped his hands with amusement, and then pointed a derisive finger.
“Excellent!” cried Holmes, clapping the Inspector on the back.
When Gilbert Blythe recited “Bingen on the Rhine” Anne picked up Rhoda Murray’s library book and read it until he had finished, when she sat rigidly stiff and motionless while Diana clapped her hands until they tingled.
There was a general clapping of hands at this: it was the first really clever thing the King had said that day.
Other matches
Learn clap in real texts
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